Illinois at Minnesota: 1/4/22 College Basketball Picks and Predictions

Minnesota Golden Gophers (10-1) vs Illinois Fighting Illini (9-3)

Game Info: Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 7:00 pm (Williams Arena)

Betting Odds: Minnesota Golden Gophers +7 -- Over/Under: 142.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

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The Illinois Fighting Illini and Minnesota Golden Gophers face off on Tuesday in a college basketball showdown at Williams Arena. When these two teams last faced off in February of 2020 it was Illinois that won 94-83.

Illinois comes into this game with a 9-3 record and they have gone 6-6 against the spread. In the last game against Missouri, Illinois had another impressive victory putting up 88 points on the way to the victory. The Fighting Illini are averaging 81.2 points while their defense is giving up 65.6 points per game. Kofi Cockburn has been the top player for Illinois averaging 21.8 points while shooting 62.2 percent from the field. This is a game that Illinois can’t overlook, or they could lose a key Big Ten game.

On the other side of this matchup is the Minnesota Golden Gophers who sit with a 10-1 record and they have gone 6-4-1 against the spread. Coming into the season there were zero expectations surrounding this Minnesota team, but they now look like a team that could make the tournament. In the last game against Green Bay, the defense was strong giving up only 56 points and that led to the 16 point defeat. Minnesota is averaging 72 points while their defense is giving up 63.1 points per game. The best player for Minnesota has been Jamison Battle who is averaging 18.9 points while shooting 49.7 percent from the field.

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Illinois is 5-1 against the spread in their last six games. Minnesota is 0-3-1 against the spread in their last four home games. The over is 8-0 in Illinois last eight games overall. The over is 5-1 in Golden Gophers last 6 home games against a team with a winning road record.

Minnesota has been quite impressive this season and their defense is going to be strong in this game against Illinois. It might not be enough to come away with a win, but it will be enough to come away with the cover of the spread. In terms of the total, I also believe the Gophers will slow down the pace enough that the under will cash.

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