Illinois vs Alabama Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/20/24

The Illinois Fighting Illini are visiting the Alabama Crimson Tide on Wednesday, November 20th at the Legacy Arena at BJCC. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Illinois Fighting Illini vs Alabama Crimson Tide Prediction.

Alabama Crimson Tide Preview

The Alabama Crimson Tide have a 3-1 record this season and are coming off a 78-87 loss to Purdue. The Crimson Tide are 1-3 against the spread, and 0-3-1 in over/under, while having a 3-0 home record.

Offensively, Alabama is averaging 87 points per game, which ranks 48th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 71 points per game (190th). The Crimson Tide shoot 48.1% from the field (93rd) and  30.4% from beyond the arc (258th). The Crimson Tide shoot 70% from the free-throw line (187th) and are grabbing 44.5 rebounds per game (24th).

Mark Sears leads Alabama in scoring with an average of 17.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, while Grant Nelson adds 12 points and 7 rebounds. Alabama will take on Houston and Rutgers after this one.

Illinois Fighting Illini Preview

The Illinois Fighting Illini have a perfect 3-0 record this season and are coming off a 66-54 win over Oakland. The Fighting Illini is 2-1 against the spread, and 1-2 in over/under.  

Offensively, Illinois is averaging 89.3 points per game, which ranks 26th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 59.7 points per game (24th). The Fighting Illini shoot 45.1% from the field (205th) and 36.2% from beyond the arc (119th). The Fighting Illini shoot 72.5% from the free-throw line (138th) and are grabbing 47.3 rebounds per game (8th).

Will Riley leads Illinois in scoring this season, with an average of 17.7 points and 6 rebounds, while Tomislav Ivisic adds 17.3 points and a team-high 9 rebounds. Illinois will face Maryland-Eastern Shore following this game.

Why the Alabama Crimson Tide will win

• Alabama has won each of its last six games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• Illinois has lost five of its last six games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents.
• Alabama has won the first half in four of its last five games against the Big Ten Conference at neutral venues.

Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win

• Illinois has won 11 of its last 12 night games against non-conference opponents.
• Alabama has lost four of its last five games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
• Illinois has won the first half in 12 of its last 13 night games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Illinois’ last 19 night games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents has produced a total of 163 or fewer points.
• Each of Alabama’s last five games against non-conference opponents has produced a total of 167 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Alabama ranks 15th among Division 1 teams for free throw attempts per game this season (30.0).
• Alabama ranks T17th among Division 1 teams for free throws made per game this season (21.0).
• Illinois ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (54.7%).
• Illinois ranks T4th among Division 1 teams for three-point field goals made per game this season (12.7).

Illinois Fighting Illini vs Alabama Crimson Tide Prediction

In their previous meeting back in 2015, Alabama won on the road, 79-58. In this Illinois Fighting Illini vs Alabama Crimson Tide Prediction, Alabama is coming as -8 home favorites. The Fighting Illini have been superb this season, as they haven’t lost a single game yet, and are winning by an average of 29.6 points per game. Illinois is sitting in the top 26 of the nation both offensively and defensively while being the 8th-best team in rebounding nationally. One could make a case for Alabama because they are at home, but the way Illinois is playing right now, you cannot fade them. Take the Illinois Fighting Illini and lay the points on the road.