Iowa vs Illinois Prediction 3/13/25 College Basketball Picks

Illinois (20-11) vs Iowa (17-15)

Game Info: Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 6:30 pm (Gainbridge Fieldhouse)

Betting Odds: Illinois -10.5 -- Over/Under: 166.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

Where to Watch: BTN

In this article, we will formulate an Iowa vs Illinois prediction for this College Basketball game on Thursday, March 13th at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview

The Iowa Hawkeyes are 17-15 (7-13) this season after they defeated Ohio State by a score of 77-70 in their last game. Iowa was tied at 37 at halftime, but they held OSU to just 33 points in the second half for the win. The Hawkeyes shot 54.7% from the field, 41.7% on three-pointers, and 90% on free throws in the game. Payton Sandfort led Iowa with 17 points and three rebounds, while Josh Dix added 16 points and four assists in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Hawkeyes defeated Nebraska by a score of 83-68 but did lose to Michigan State by a score of 91-84 before that. Iowa has lost three of their last five games and they finished tied for 12th in the Big Ten standings with a 7-13 record. Iowa has scored 82.3 points per game and they have allowed 79.2 points per game, while also averaging 32.4 rebounds and 18.3 assists per game this season. Payton Sandfort is averaging 16.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, while Josh Dix is averaging 14.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game this year. Iowa is shooting 48.6% from the field, 70.5% on free throws, and 37.7% on three-pointers this season. 

Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 20-11 (12-8) this year after they defeated Purdue by a score of 88-80 in their last game. Illinois trailed 42-40 at halftime, but they scored 48 points in the second half for the win. The Fighting Illini shot 49.1% from the field, 36.7% on three-pointers, and 84% on free throws in the game. Will Riley led Illinois with 22 points and four assists, while Tre White added 20 points and nine rebounds in the game. 

Prior to that big win, the Fighting Illini defeated Michigan by a score of 93-73 and Iowa by a score of 81-61. Illinois has won three games in a row and they finished tied for seventh in the Big Ten standings with a 12-8 record. Illinois has scored 83.7 points per game and they have allowed 73.5 points per game, while also averaging 42.4 rebounds and 14.9 assists per game this year. Kasparas Jakucionis is averaging 15.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, while Tomislav Ivisic is averaging 12.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game this year. Illinois is shooting 45% from the field, 75.8% on free throws, and 31% on three-pointers this season. 

Why Illinois will beat Iowa 

  • Iowa has lost 11 of its last 12 games against AP-ranked opponents.
  • Illinois has won eight of its last nine games against Iowa.
  • Iowa has lost the first half in six of its last eight games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.

Total Points Facts

  • Fifteen of Iowa's last 17 games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 158 or fewer points.
  • Nine of the last 11 games between Iowa and Illinois have produced a total of 160 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

  • Illinois ranks 361st among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (65.4).
  • Illinois ranks 358th among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (4.5).
  • Iowa ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for field goals made per game this season (30.4).
  • Iowa ranks 356th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (29.5).

Iowa vs Illinois Prediction 

Iowa comes into this contest after upsetting Ohio State in their first game of the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday, and they will look to keep their season alive with another win here. The Hawkeyes have been pretty disappointing this season, especially on defense, but their offense is shooting nearly 49% from the field. Illinois went through some ups and downs over the last few weeks, but they have won three games in a row and have plenty of momentum here. The Fighting Illini have scored at least 81 points in three straight games, but they have also had their issues on defense. Illinois just beat Iowa by 20 points a few games ago and I think they can have a similar result here, especially against this Iowa defense. Take Illinois in this game. 

David’s Pick Illinois -10.5

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The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.

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