Eastern Illinois vs Illinois Prediction - College Basketball Picks 11/6/23

The Eastern Illinois Panthers will play the Illinois Fighting Illini in a non-conference game on Monday night at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. Eastern Illinois finished dead last in the OVC standings last year, while Illinois was tied for fifth in the Big Ten with three other teams. 

Eastern Illinois Preview

The Eastern Illinois Panthers were 9-22 (5-13) last season and they finished with the worst record in the OVC. Eastern Illinois played Illinois last season in their opener, losing by a score of 87-57. The Panthers did not qualify for the OVC Tournament and they finished the regular season by losing 10 of their last 12 games. Eastern Illinois scored 68.8 points per game with 33.9 rebounds per game and 14.5 assists per game, while allowing 72.1 points against per game last season. The Panthers lost their two leading scorers, but they do return Caleb Donaldson, who averaged 8.5 points per game, 2.4 rebounds per game, and 3.3 assists per game. Eastern Illinois shot 44.3% from the field, 63.7% on free throws, and 32.9% on three pointers last year. 

Illinois Preview

The Illinois Fighting Illini went 20-13 (11-9) last year and they finished tied for fifth in the Big Ten with Maryland, Iowa, and Michigan. Illinois had a couple of huge non-conference wins early last season, but struggled down the stretch in Big Ten play. Illinois lost to Penn State in their first game in the Big Ten Tournament by a score of 79-76 and they lost to Arkansas in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament by a score of 73-63. Illinois scored 74.3 points per game with 37.8 rebounds per game and 12.4 assists per game, while allowing 67.2 points against per game last season. Illinois does return their leading scorer, Terrence Shannon Jr., who averaged 17.2 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, and 2.8 assists per game last season. Illinois shot 45.1% from the field, 68% on free throws, and 30.9% on three pointers last year.