Arkansas vs Illinois Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/28/24

The Arkansas Razorbacks are visiting the Illinois Fighting Illini on Thursday, November 28th at the T-Mobile Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Arkansas Razorbacks vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction.

Illinois Fighting Illini Preview

The Illinois Fighting Illini have a 5-1 record this season and are coming off a 92-34 win over Little Rock. The Fighting Illini are 4-2 against the spread, and 2-4 in over/under while having a 5-0 home record.

Offensively, Illinois is averaging 89 points per game, which is the 13th-best in the nation. Defensively, they are allowing 58.8 points per game, which is also 13th nationally. The Fighting Illini shoot 44.8% from the field (195th) and 33% from beyond the arc (197th). The Fighting Illini shoot 70.4% from the free throw line (194th) and are grabbing 50.2 rebounds per game, which is the best in the nation.

Will Riley leads Illinois in scoring this season, with an average of 17.2 points and 5.3 rebounds, while Tomislav Ivisic adds 15.5 points and a team-high 8.7 rebounds. Illinois will play against Northwestern after this game.

Arkansas Razorbacks Preview

The Arkansas Razorbacks have a 5-1 record this season and are coming off a 109-35 win over Maryland Eastern Shore. The Razorbacks are 2-3-1 against the spread, and 2-4 in over/under while playing their first road game this season.

Offensively, Arkansas is averaging 81.2 points per game, which ranks 101st nationally. Defensively, they allow 59.2 points per game, which is the 14th-best in the nation. The Razorbacks shoot 50.3% from the field (32nd) and 35.5% from beyond the arc (130th). The Razorbacks shoot 75.7% from the free-throw line (64th) and are grabbing 36.5 rebounds per game (204th).

Adou Thiero leads Arkansas in scoring this season, with an average of 18 points and a team-high 5.8 rebounds, while Boogie Fland adds 17.2 points and a team-high 5.5 assists.

Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win

• Illinois has won each of its last six day games.
• Arkansas has lost nine of its last 11 day games.
• Illinois has won the first half in each of its last four day games against non-conference opponents.

Why the Arkansas Razorbacks will win

• Arkansas has won each of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Illinois has lost five of its last six games against AP-ranked opponents.
• Arkansas has won the first half in each of its last five day games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.

Arkansas Razorbacks vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction

In their only previous meeting last season, Arkansas won at home, 73-63. In this Arkansas Razorbacks vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction, Illinois is coming as -2 home favorites. Both teams have been excellent this season, as Illinois is winning by an average of 30.2 points per game, and Arkansas by 22. Both teams are also elite defensively, as they rank in the top 14 of the nation and they allow 118 points per game combined. They are also 8-4 to the under combined and their previous meeting last year had 134 total points. Expect another low-scoring game and take the under.