SIU-Edwardsville vs Illinois Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/8/24

The SIU Edwardsville Cougars and the Illinois Fighting Illini meet Friday in college basketball action from State Farm Center. Here’s an SIU Edwardsville vs Illinois prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best SIU Edwardsville vs Illinois pick. We will examine:

The SIU Edwardsville Cougars’ recent form and player performance

The Illinois Fighting Illini’s recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the SIU Edwardsville Cougars

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Illinois Fighting Illini

Recent betting trends in games played between SIU Edwardsville and Illinois

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the SIU Edwardsville vs Illinois game

SIU Edwardsville Cougars Betting Preview

The Cougars got off to an easy start with a matchup versus Westminster College. SIU Edwardsville stormed out to a 49-22 advantage by the break and eventually powered out the win 95-42. Ray’Sean Taylor doubled up on 15 points and 10 boards, while Brian Taylor added 15 points of his own.

In game two versus Indiana, the Cougars didn’t have as much luck. SIU Edwardsville fell behind 42-30 at halftime and ended up losing 80-61 after a 38-31 second half. Ray’Sean Taylor led the way again with 17 points. Myles Thompson notched 10 points and four rebounds as well.

Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview

Over on the Illinois side, they’re coming off a pretty good run last year. The Illini went 29-9 overall with a 14-6 run in the Big Ten (second to only Purdue). After a conference tournament championship run, Illinois made it to the Elite Eight where they would eventually fall to UConn.

Illinois took on Eastern Illinois in their opener and had a pretty routine blowout win. The Illini scored 62 points in the second half alone on the way to a 112-67 result. Will Riley went off for 31 points and seven rebounds, while Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn had 21 points and two boards. Illinois will face Oakland and Alabama following this game.

Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win

• Illinois has won each of its last 10 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• SIU Edwardsville has lost eight of its last nine road games against non-conference opponents.
• SIU Edwardsville has lost the first half in each of its last six road night games against non-conference opponents.

SIU Edwardsville vs Illinois Prediction

I’ll stick with Illinois. The Illini didn’t have too many issues with an overmatched Eastern Illinois squad in their opener. Illinois posted 48.4 percent shooting from the field, 16 assists, and a dominant 58-28 rebounding advantage (14-6 offensive). Just about everyone got in on the action as five different players finished in double-figures.

As for SIU Edwardsville, they gave up 52.6 percent shooting and had a 43-34 rebounding deficit in their loss to Indiana. The Cougars also spot just 5-of-26 (19.2 percent) from outside in a futile effort. Friday’s game will be another tough matchup for SIUE and I expect a similar outcome.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Illinois Fighting Illini -26.5