Free NCAA Hoops Pick: Fighting Illini vs. Badgers CBB Odds
Looking for Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Wisconsin Badgers NCAA basketball free picks & CBB odds? CBB betting sees the Fighting Illini taking on the Badgers on Saturday February 27, 2021 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all college basketball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily basketball predictions like this Fighting Illini Badgers matchup.
2021 NCAA Basketball Handicapping
(17-6) #5 Illinois Fighting Illini vs. #23 Wisconsin Badgers (16-8)
Date: Saturday February 27, 2021
Time: 2:00 PM ET
Venue: Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin
CBB Moneyline Odds: OFF
CBB Betting Odds: Badgers -3.5
CBB Betting Total: O/U 137.5
Two top 25 teams are set to battle Saturday afternoon in Wisconsin as the 23rd ranked Badgers play host to the fifth ranked Illinois Fighting Illini in a Big Ten conference game.
The Fighting Illini have won eight of their last nine games following a win last time out against Nebraska. Illinois won its last game 86-70 to complete a season sweep of the last place Cornhuskers.
Wisconsin has been up and down of late. The Badgers are just 4-5 in their last nine games after winning their last game against Northwestern.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois has been red hot as March Madness approaches. Despite shooting just 4 of 23 from the outside in their last game against Nebraska, the Illini dominated inside and shot 26 of 39 from two to defeat the Cornhuskers by 16.
Illinois is 13-4 in conference play and has lost just once since January 16. The star duo of Ayo Dosunmo and Kofi Cockburn has been as good as advertised once again. Dosunmu is a NPOY candidate who averages 21 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists a game. Cockburn averages a double double a night with 17 points and 10 rebounds a game.
Illinois is top 25 in the country in both offensive and defensive rating. The Illini average 81.5 points per game, which ranks 16th in the country. Illinois is also 16th in effective field goal percentage, 28th in 3-point percentage and 43rd in offensive rebounding rate.
Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers have been an up and down 4-5 in their last nine games after starting conference play 6-2. They are still an impressive team on both ends of the floor, ranking in the top 40 in the nation in both offensive and defensive efficiency. The Badgers excel on defense in particular, ranking fourth in the nation in defensive rating.
Wisconsin has particularly excelled in taking care of the ball and 2-point defense. The Badgers have the second lowest turnover rate in the country and allow opponents to shoot 45.3 percent from inside the arc. On top of that, the Badgers are 34th in defensive rebounding rate.
D’Mitrik Trice is the leading scorer for Wisconsin with 13.6 points per game while shooting 41.2 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from three-point range. Micah Potter is second on the team with 12.4 PPG and leads the team with 6.2 RPG.
The Wisconsin Badgers have a deep rotation with seven players averaging at least 5 PPG.
The Badgers offense has gone a bit cold of late and has been inconsistent to say the least. During their last six games, the Badgers have failed to shoot over 36 percent from deep and have failed to surpass 70 points.
The Badgers are still 79th in the nation in 3-point percentage at 35.9, but must regain their form from deep to turn things around. They have a good chance to do that against an Iowa ream that doesn’t defend well from the outside.
CBB Betting Trends:
- Illinois are 10-5 ATS in their last 15 games.
- Illinois are 8-1 SU in their last 9 games.
- Illinois are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games on the road.
- Illinois are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games this season.
- Illinois are 10-5 ATS in their last 15 games against an opponent in the Big Ten conference.
Free Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Wisconsin Badgers NCAAB Prediction: Illini ATS
Illinois has two distinct advantages over the Badgers that I feel will get them over the hum in this game. The Fighting Illini are a much better offensive rebounding team and can get second chance points, and they are much better at scoring at the basket. If the Ilini can take care of the basketball, they should come out on top in this matchup.
4* Free CBB Betting Pick: Illinois 69 Wisconsin 66
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