Illinois (12-3) vs Michigan (7-6)
Game Info: Friday, January 14, 2022 at 9:00 pm (State Farm Center)
Betting Odds: Illinois Fighting Illini +7.5 -- Over/Under: 143.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Michigan Wolverines and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini meet Friday in college basketball action at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. The Michigan Wolverines will arrive at Friday’s game on the heels of a two-game losing skid. The University of Illinois Fighting Illini are looking to improve on the team’s current two-game winning streak.
The Michigan Wolverines are averaging 72.77 points a game on 47.07 percent shooting. Defensively, the Wolverines are allowing 66.85 points a contest on 40.85 percent shooting. Through 13 games played this season, Michigan center Hunter Dickinson is averaging 16.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists a game. Wolverines guard Eli Brooks is averaging 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3 assists a contest. The Michigan Wolverines are shooting 33.98 percent from behind the arc and 68.02 percent from the free-throw line. The Wolverines are allowing opposing teams to shoot 29.04 percent from three-point range. Additionally, the Michigan Wolverines are allowing opposing teams to shoot 70.49 percent from the free-throw line.
The University Of Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 80.47 points a game on 47.01 percent shooting. Defensively, the Fighting Illini are allowing 65 points a contest on 39.52 percent shooting. Through 15 games played this season, Illinois center Kofi Cockburn is averaging 22 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists a contest. Fighting Illini guard Alphonso Plummer is averaging 15.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists a game. The Illinois Fighting Illini are shooting 38.68 percent from three-point range and 71.67 percent from the free-throw line. It should also be noted that the Fighting Illini are allowing opposing teams to shoot 32.61 percent from behind the arc.
The Michigan Wolverines are 3-6 ATS in their last 9 games played. The game total has gone over in 5 of Michigan's last 6 games played. The Illinois Fighting Illini are 12-1 SU in their last 13 games played at home. The Fighting Illini are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games played. The game total has gone over in 9 of Illinois' last 11 games played.
For those readers that are not aware, the Michigan Wolverines basketball team has been dealing with ongoing COVID-19 issues for approximately two weeks. The Wolverines have postponed the team's last two games due to the COVID-19 issue. It should also be noted that the team has struggled to complete a full practice over the last two weeks as well. Having stated that, I don't expect to see a Michigan basketball team that is at full strength on Friday. Additionally, Michigan has lost the last two games the team has played. The Illinois Fighting Illini have not had a two week break from competitive play like the Wolverines. The Fighting Illini have won two games in the last seven days. For me, it is clear that Fighting Illini are the better basketball team. I am backing the Fighting Illini to win this game and cover the 8.5 points in the process.