Illinois (1-0) vs Oakland (1-1)
Game Info: Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 9:00 pm (State Farm Center)
The Line: Betting Odds: Illinois -21 / Oakland +21 — Over/Under:
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies and the Illinois Fighting Illini meet Wednesday in college basketball action from State Farm Center. Here’s an Oakland vs Illinois prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Oakland vs Illinois pick. We will examine:
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies’ recent form and player performance
The Illinois Fighting Illini’s recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Oakland Golden Grizzlies
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Illinois Fighting Illini
Recent betting trends in games played between Oakland and Illinois
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Oakland vs Illinois game
Oakland Golden Grizzlies Betting Preview
This year the Grizzlies opened their season against Defiance. Oakland jumped out to a 10-point halftime lead in that one, closing on 42 more points for a 75-52 blowout victory. DQ Cole led the way with 15 points, and Tuburu Naivalurua doubled on 13 points and 13 boards.
In game two versus Boise State, Oakland suffered their first loss of the year. The Grizzlies were drilled 48-18 in the first half and didn’t get any closer in an 87-43 blowout. Both Naivalurua (six rebounds) and Allen David Mukeba (four rebounds) led the team with 10 points each. Oakland will meet Kansas, Eastern Michigan, and Toledo after this one.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview
Over on the Illinois side, they’ve got a couple of sizable wins in the bag so far. The Illini posted a 50-35 advantage over Eastern Illinois in the first half of their opener, then closed on 62 points for a 112-67 win. Will Riley led the team on 31 points with seven rebounds in the victory.
On Friday versus SIU Edwardsville, the Illini scored 46 points in the first half and 44 more in the second for a 90-58 blowout. Riley scored 14 points with seven boards this time. Ben Humrichous led the way with 15 points, and Kasparas Jakucionis doubled on 12 points and 13 assists with eight boards. Illinois will face Alabama, Maryland Eastern Shore, Little Rock, and Arkansas following this game.
Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win
- Illinois has won each of its last 11 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Oakland has lost each of its last five Wednesday night games against non-conference opponents.
- Oakland has lost the first half in four of its last five night games against the Big Ten Conference.
Why the Oakland Golden Grizzlies will win
- Oakland has won eight of its last 10 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Oakland vs Illinois Prediction
I’ll stay with Illinois. The Illini have bagged a couple of impressive wins versus overmatched teams so far and should have another one coming Wednesday. In their last outing versus SIU Edwardsville, Illinois secured a 47-41 rebounding advantage, 21 team assists and 44.4 percent shooting from the floor. The Illini have 202 points scored in two games this year.
As for Oakland, they were pummeled by Boise State in their last outing, shooting just 27.3 percent from the floor and 11.5 percent (3-of-26) from 3-point range. The Grizzlies also posted a 45-31 deficit on the boards. If Oakland can’t turn things around dramatically here, they’re in for a similar blowout finish.