Illinois Fighting Illini (3-1) vs Southern Jaguars (1-3)
Game Info: Sunday, November 19, 2023 at 8:00 pm (State Farm Center)
Betting Odds: Illinois Fighting Illini -23.5 -- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Southern Jaguars and the Illinois Fighting Illini meet Sunday in college basketball action from State Farm Center. Southern is 1-3 on the year so far. The Jaguars lost to Western Illinois in their last matchup on Friday. As for Illinois, they’re 3-1 this year and coming off a blowout win over Valparaiso. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Pick Dawgz.
Southern Jaguars
The Jaguars have a few losses in the books already, however they’re not scoring too badly. Southern fell to TCU 108-75 in their first game of the season, but then bounced back for a nice 85-71 win over UNLV. On Monday the Jaguars lost again, this time 97-59 to a great Arizona team. Southern shot just 31.7 percent from the field in that one.
In their latest matchup on Friday versus Western Illinois, the Jaguars came back from a 35-32 halftime deficit to force overtime but still ended up losing 88-80. Leading the team in scoring was Tai’Reon Joseph with 23 points and three steals. JaRonn Wilkens put up 12 points with nine rebounds as well.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Over on the Illinois side, they’ve only got one blemish on the card so far, a 71-64 loss to Marquette back on Tuesday. The Illini shot a tepid 35 percent from the floor in that one, but won the rebounding battle 43-41. Illinois is averaging 73.8 points per game this year, allowing just 60.0 points per game on the other side.
On Friday versus Valparaiso, the Illini started very slowly for a 45-38 halftime deficit. Illinois woke up after halftime though, hitting a 49-19 run in an 87-64 win. Terrence Shannon led the way on 22 points with seven boards, and Dain Diana put up 16 points with seven rebounds. Luke Goode chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll take a stab on Southern in this one. Probably not touching it, though. The Jaguars were very generous to Western Illinois in their latest outing, giving up 55.6 percent shooting and losing the rebounding battle 45-34. Southern shot 44.4 percent from the floor themselves, but also hit just 3-of-15 (20 percent) from 3-point range and 13-of-23 (56.5 percent) from the line. The Jaguars will need a much better effort on Sunday in order to keep pace with Illinois, but I think they’ve got a decent enough offense to do it.
Speaking of the Illini, they made some very good second-half adjustments versus Valparaiso in their last game. I don’t think Illinois will start so slowly in this one, but Southern can probably get in there for a cover during garbage time if nothing else.
Andrew’s Pick Southern Jaguars +23.5
AUTHOR: Andrew Jett
Mitch's Take...
