Illinois (17-11) vs Iowa (15-12)
February 25, 2025 at 09:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Illinois -9.5 — Over/Under: 171.5
In this article, we will formulate an Iowa vs Illinois prediction for this College Basketball game on Tuesday, February 25th at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.
Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview
The Iowa Hawkeyes are 15-12 (6-10) this year after they defeated Washington by a score of 85-79 in their last game. Iowa trailed 34-33 at halftime, but they scored 52 points in the second half for the win. The Hawkeyes shot 47.3% from the field, 47.6% on three-pointers, and 88.5% on free throws in the game. Payton Sandfort led Iowa with 27 points and nine rebounds, while Josh Dix added 15 points and three rebounds in the win.
Prior to that game, the Hawkeyes lost to Oregon by a score of 80-78 and Maryland by a score of 101-75. Iowa has lost five of their last seven games and they are currently tied for 13th in the Big Ten standings with a 6-10 record. Iowa has scored 83.9 points per game and they have allowed 79.5 points per game, while also averaging 31.9 rebounds and 18.5 assists per game this season. Payton Sandfort is averaging 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, while Josh Dix is averaging 14.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game this season. Iowa is shooting 49.2% from the field, 70.3% on free throws, and 37.9% on three-pointers this year.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview
The Illinois Fighting Illini are 17-11 (9-8) this season after they lost to Duke by a score of 110-67 in their last game. Illinois trailed 54-37 at halftime and allowed 56 points in the second half in the blowout loss. The Fighting Illini shot 37.7% from the field, 7.7% on three-pointers, and 67.9% on free throws in the game. Tre White led Illinois with 16 points and five rebounds, while Kasparas Jakucionis added 14 points and seven rebounds in the loss.
Prior to that game, the Fighting Illini lost to Wisconsin by a score of 95-74 and Michigan State by a score of 79-65. Illinois has lost three games in a row and they are currently tied for seventh in the Big Ten standings with a 9-8 record. Illinois has scored 83.3 points per game and they have allowed 73.8 points per game, while also averaging 43.3 rebounds and 14.5 assists per game this season. Kasparas Jakucionis is averaging 15.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, while Tomislav Ivisic is averaging 12.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game this year. Illinois is shooting 44.6% from the field, 75.8% on free throws, and 30.5% on three-pointers this season.
Why Iowa will beat Illinois
- Illinois has lost five of its last six night games against the Big Ten Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Illinois’ last 14 games against the Big Ten Conference Conference have produced a total of 169 or fewer points.
- Each of Iowa’s last seven games against non-AP-ranked opponents has produced a total of 164 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Illinois ranks 358th among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (4.5).
- Illinois ranks 8th among Division 1 teams for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (30.1).
- Iowa ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (18.5).
- Iowa is one of three teams to rank in the top 10 for both points and assists per game this season.
Iowa vs Illinois Prediction
Illinois comes into this matchup with the better conference record and they will be at home for this game, but they have really struggled in their last three games. The Fighting Illini have allowed 110 and 95 points in their last two games and they are shooting just 44.6% from the field this year. Iowa was able to get a win over Washington in their last game, but they have been pretty bad over their last 11 games, going just 3-8 in that time. The Hawkeyes are shooting over 49% from the field this year, but they play almost no defense and they are allowing 79.5 points per game this year. I don’t trust either team in this matchup, but with Illinois looking like a completely different team over the last two weeks, I will take the points with Iowa.