Free NCAA Hoops Pick: Wolverines vs. Fighting Illini CBB Odds
Looking for Michigan Wolverines vs. Illinois Fighting Illini NCAA basketball free picks & CBB odds? CBB betting sees the Wolverines taking on the Fighting Illini on Thursday, March 2nd State Farm Center, Champaign. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all college basketball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NCAA basketball predictions like this Wolverines Fighting Illini matchup.
2023 NCAA Basketball Handicapping Wolverines vs. Illinois
- (17-12) Michigan Wolverines vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (19-10)
- Date: Thursday, March 2nd
- Time: 7:00 ET
- Venue: State Farm Center, Champaign
- CBB Moneyline Odds: Wolverines +142 | Fighting Illini -172
- NCAAB Betting ATS Odds: Michigan +3.5 | Illinois -3.5 (Bet Now!)
- CBB Betting Total: O/U 144.5
- *Click Here* Check out our Live Betting Odds for this Michigan Wolverines vs. Illinois Fighting Illini game!
- *Click Here* Check out our Updated Sportsbook Bonuses for today!
- Scroll down for our Michigan Illinois free pick
Michigan Wolverines
At this point, Michigan heads into their matchup vs Illinois with a record of 17-12 and riding a 3 game win streak. Presently, in their 13 road games this season, the Wolverines have a record of 5-8.
Having been the underdog in 11 games, the Wolverines have gone 2-9 straight up. Heading into today’s contest, they are the +3.5 underdogs on the spread.
At this moment, Michigan currently has a record of 11-7 in Big Ten action. In non-conference games, the team has a mark of 6-5.
Coming into the game, Hunter Dickinson is the team leader in scoring, averaging 17.6 points per game. In addition to his scoring, Dickinson is grabbing 8.6 rebounds and adding 1.4 assists. Michigan’s second leading scorer is Kobe Bufkin, who has hit 48.2% of his field goal attempts and is averaging 13.4 points per game.
Wolverines Offense
The Wolverines offense heads into the game, ranked 142nd in the NCAA at 73.0 points per contest. In addition, Michigan’s offensive attack is heavily reliant on getting the ball inside, as 67.67% of their shots have come inside the arc. So far, the team is ranked 63rd in overall field goal percentage at 46.8%. When the Wolverines have taken 3-point shots, they are hitting 34.0% of their looks.
In terms of pace, Michigan is below the NCAA average in possessions per game, averaging just 65.4 per contest, placing them just 587th in college basketball. Currently, Michigan’s 35.5 rebounds per contest is one of the lower figures in the NCAA. So far, the Wolverines are averaging 10.0 offensive boards per game.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Overall, Illinois has an 19-10 overall record. Presently, the Fighting Illini have been the home team 16 times, sitting with a record of 14-2.
Getting ready to play for the 24 times as the favorite, Illinois has gone 17-7 in those matchups. Playing at home, the Fighting Illini come into this game as -3.5 point favorites.
At this moment, Illinois currently has a record of 10-8 in Big Ten action. In non-conference games, the team has a mark of 9-2.
Coming into the game, Terrence Shannon Jr. is the team leader in scoring, averaging 17.1 points per game. In addition to his scoring, Jr. is grabbing 4.8 rebounds and adding 2.9 assists. Illinois’ second leading scorer is Matthew Mayer, who has hit 42.4% of his field goal attempts and is averaging 12.6 points per game.
Fighting Illini Key Stats
So far, the Fighting Illini have been an above average unit, averaging 75.8 points per game, good for 66th in the NCAA. In addition, Illinois’ offensive attack is heavily reliant on getting the ball inside, as 57.36% of their shots have come inside the arc. So far, the team is ranked 131st in overall field goal percentage at 45.3%. When the Fighting Illini have taken 3-point shots, they are hitting 36.7% of their looks.
In terms of pace, Illinois is below the NCAA average in possessions per game, averaging just 66.9 per contest, placing them just 506th in college basketball. Currently, the team is one of the better rebounding teams in the country, at 38.5 rebounds per contest. This figure includes 11.5 offensive boards per game.
We want to hear from you below! Give us your picks for this Michigan Wolverines vs. Illinois Fighting Illini NCAA basketball matchup.
Michigan Wolverines vs. Illinois Fighting Illini CBB Betting Trends
- At this point, Michigan is 3-2 vs. the spread in their last 5 games. The Wolverines are 3-2 straight up in these matchups.
- Also, Michigan is 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games on the road, going 6-4 SU.
- So far, the Wolverines are 2-1 SU in their last 3 games as the underdog. They are 2-1 vs. the spread in these contests.
- Fighting Illini are 2-1 SU in their last 3 games as the favorite. Also, they are 0-3 vs. the spread in these contests.
Free Michigan Wolverines vs. Illinois Fighting Illini CBB Betting Pick:
Free Spread Prediction: Michigan Wolverines +3.5
After boiling down all the statistics and trends, it is clear why the oddsmakers have placed the Illinois Fighting Illini as the favorites to win. Not only do the Michigan Wolverines have a mediocre record vs. the spread at away of late 5-5, but Illinois also has the statistical edge in 3-pointers made per game and overall field goal percentage.
Yet, our model shows that the current odds of -3.5 points in favor of the Fighting Illini is too high and there is good value on grabbing Michigan vs the spread. While most bettors will likely be piling on the Illinois Fighting Illini as the favorite, we feel good about taking the opposite side and grabbing Michigan taking the points.
Free Michigan vs. Illinois CBB Betting Pick: Michigan ATS
Lastly, if you’re looking for more College basketball picks like this Michigan Wolverines vs. Illinois Fighting Illini matchup we’ll be providing 4* free college basketball predictions on the blog all season long, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NCAAB Hoops picks!
Register here for a FREE CBB Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers! Check out our Linktr.ee too!