Illinois vs Wisconsin Prediction 2/18/25 College Basketball Picks

The Illinois Fighting Illini are visiting the Wisconsin Badgers on Tuesday, February 18th at the Kohl Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Illinois Fighting Illini vs Wisconsin Badgers Prediction. We will examine:

The Wisconsin Badgers’ recent form and player performance

The Illinois Fighting Illini’s recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Wisconsin Badgers

Recent betting trends and streaks involving Illinois the Fighting Illini

Recent betting trends in games played between the Illinois Fighting Illini and Wisconsin Badgers

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Illinois Fighting Illini vs Wisconsin Badgers game

Wisconsin Badgers Preview

The Wisconsin Badgers have a 20-5 record this season and are sitting in 4th place in the Big Ten. Wisconsin is coming off a 94-84 win over Purdue. The Badgers are 16-8-1 against the spread, and 15-10 in over/under, while having a 12-1 home record.

Offensively, Wisconsin is averaging 81.5 points per game, which ranks 27th in the nation. Defensively, they are allowing 70.5 points per game (138th). The Badgers shoot 46.6% from the field (91st) and 36.6% from beyond the arc (59th). The Badgers shoot 83.7% from the free throw line, which is the best in the nation, and are grabbing 35.6 rebounds per game (168th).

John Tonje leads Wisconsin in scoring this season, with an average of 19.2 points and 4.9 rebounds, while John Blackwell adds 15.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Wisconsin will face Oregon, Washington, Michigan State, and Minnesota following this one.

Illinois Fighting Illini Preview

The Illinois Fighting Illini have a 17-9 record this season and are sitting in 7th place in the Big 10. Illinois is coming off a 65-79 loss to Michigan State. The Fighting Illini are 12-13-1 against the spread, and 15-11 in over/under while having a 4-4 road record.

Offensively, Illinois is averaging 84.3 points per game, which is the 11th-best in the nation. Defensively, they allow 71.6 points per game (181st). The Fighting Illini shoot 44.9% from the field (180th) and 31.1% from beyond the arc (319th). The Fighting Illini shoot 75.9% from the free-throw line (50th) and are grabbing 44.3 rebounds per game, which is the second-best in the nation.

Kasparas Jakucionis leads Illinois in scoring with an average of 16 points, 5.5 rebounds, and a team-high 5 assists, while Tomislav Ivisic adds 12.7 points and a team-high 8.5 rebounds per game.

Why the Wisconsin Badgers will win

• Wisconsin has won 27 of its last 28 games at Kohl Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Illinois has lost four of its last five night games.
• Wisconsin has won the first half in each of its last 10 night games against the Big Ten Conference at Kohl Center.

Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win

• Illinois has won each of its last nine games against Wisconsin.
• Illinois has won the first half in each of its last eight games against Wisconsin.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Wisconsin’s last 24 Tuesday night home games against the Big Ten Conference has produced a total of 161 or fewer points.
• Seven of Illinois’ last eight games at Kohl Center have produced a total of 143 or fewer points.

Illinois Fighting Illini vs Wisconsin Badgers Prediction

Illinois has won their last nine meetings against Wisconsin, and are 9-1 against the spread. Over is 6-1 in their last 7 meetings, and in their most recent meeting earlier this season, Illinois won 86-80 at home, not covering the spread, as the game went over the point total.

In this Illinois Fighting Illini vs Wisconsin Badgers Prediction, Wisconsin is coming as a -3.5 home favorites. Both teams have been playing very good basketball this season, but Wisconsin has been almost perfect at home, with just one loss in their 13 home games. On the other hand, Illinois is mediocre on the road, and is 1-3 against the spread in their last 4 road games. Wisconsin is coming in this matchup red-hot, as they are 8-2 in their last 10 games and 7-1 against the spread in their last 8. The Badgers covered the spread in their previous meeting against the Fighting Illini this season, so I expect them to get the job done today at home.