Wisconsin vs Illinois Prediction 3/13/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini meet Friday in Big Ten Tournament college basketball action from the United Center in Chicago. Here’s a Wisconsin vs Illinois prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Wisconsin vs Illinois pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

Wisconsin Badgers Betting Preview

The Badgers managed to go 14-5 over the first 19 games this year, then hit a 2-2 run with losses to USC and Indiana. A 3-2 run came next with wins over Illinois, Michigan State and Iowa among losses to Ohio State and Oregon. Since then Wisconsin has been on a 4-0 run, taking out Washington, Maryland, Purdue and Washington again on the way to a 23-9 record.

In the tournament game versus Washington on Thursday, the Badgers were sitting in the locker room looking up at a 10-point edge 43-33. Wisconsin was outscored 49-42 the rest of the way but managed to hang on in the end for the 85-82 victory. Leading the team in scoring was John Blackwell with 34 points and 10 boards, while Nicholas Boyd had 23 points and nine assists.

Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview

Over on the Illinois side, they managed to get wins in eight of their first 11 games. The Illini then logged wins over Missouri, Southern, Penn State, Rutgers, Iowa, Northwestern, Minnesota, Maryland, Purdue, Washington, Nebraska and Northwestern. After that were losses to Michigan State and Wisconsin, then victories versus Indiana and USC before losses to UCLA and Michigan. After wins over Oregon and Maryland Illinois is 24-7 this season.

In the Maryland matchup on Sunday the Illini were nursing a 37-34 advantage by the end of the first half. Illinois kept it going after the break with a 41-38 stretch and eventually powered out the victory 78-72 in the end on the road. Illinois’ David Mirkovic put up 22 points with 11 boards and three assists while both Kylan Boswell and Keaton Wagler had 11 points apiece.

Wisconsin vs Illinois Prediction

I’ll lean toward Illinois. The Illini need a more convincing effort than they got on the road last weekend versus Maryland, though. In that one Illinois shot 47.3 percent from the field but just 20.8 percent (5-of-24) from outside. The Illini added 46.4 percent shooting allowed on defense, but did well in the paint on a 42-20 advantage. Illinois is a sketchy 4-4 in their last eight games but to be fair they’ve played some very tough conference teams in that stretch.

These teams last met back on February 10 in a tight, competitive, 92-90 overtime loss at home for Illinois. In that one the Illini shot well from the field (53.3 percent) and 3-point range (45.5 percent on 15-of-33) but missed eight of their 19 free throws (57.9 percent) and coughed up 13 turnovers. Wisconsin, meanwhile, was competitive on the boards and in the paint while shooting 44.4 percent (16-of-36) from 3-point range. Illinois has a perfect chance for some revenge in the tournament rematch. Should be a good one.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Illinois Fighting Illini -8.5