Michigan-Illinois Spread at Illini -2
Carrie Stroup here with the Michigan-Illinois spread for March 1. It was coming in at -2 favoring the Illini. You can find all the latest College Basketball odds here at Sportsbook.com and be sure to claim up to $250 in FREE CASH based on your initial deposit (minimum deposit to open a betting account is just $20).
Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Illinois -2 & 121
Opening Line & Total: Fighting Illini -1 & 120.5
No. 13 Michigan looks to move into a tie for second place in the Big Ten with arch rival Ohio State when it heads to Illinois for Senior Night in Champaign on Thursday.
Michigan’s home loss to Purdue Saturday was simply due to poor shooting (41.7% FG, 9-of- 32 threes). The Boilers shot 50% FG, 47% 3-pt FG and 14-of-16 FT. But the Wolverines have been able to bounce back as well as anybody, going 7-0 (SU and ATS) after an SU loss this season. Michigan is 3-0 ATS in the past three meetings with Illinois, holding the Fighting Illini to 56.7 PPG in the three contests. Despite Sunday’s win over Iowa—which snapped a six-game SU losing streak—Illinois is 2-8-1 ATS in its past 11 games. Michigan has lost 13 consecutive games at Assembly Hall, and while this may seem like a trap game, a win here would give the Wolverines an outside chance to share the Big Ten title with OSU and Michigan State.
The Wolverines rely heavily on the offensive contributions of the young backcourt tandem of sophomore Tim Hardaway, Jr. (14.1 PPG) and sensational freshman Trey Burke (14.2 PPG, 4.8 APG). Michigan needs to jump out to a fast start to shake off any leftover disappointment from its first home loss of the season last weekend. The Illini will have a big advantage inside with 7-foot-1 sophomore center Meyers Leonard, so it will be important for Michigan’s outside shooters to regain their form. The ability of Zack Novak (41.2% 3-pt FG) and Evan Smotrycz (41.3% 3-pt FG) to light it up from the outside can help exploit Illinois’ perimeter defense, and considering how the season has gone for the Illini, it won’t take much to rattle their confidence.
For all of Illinois’ struggles this season, Bruce Weber’s squad has found a way to kick it into another gear against elite teams. The Illini are 3-0 at home against ranked schools, including wins over top-10 opponents Ohio State (79-74) and Michigan State (42-41). Illinois needs another big game down low from Leonard (13.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG), who scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the 65-54 win over Iowa on Sunday. Electric guard Brandon Paul (14.8 PPG) also had a big game, scoring 17 points on 5-for-9 shooting. Paul is a different player at home, averaging 19.0 PPG in his past four games at Assembly Hall. Both Paul and fellow guard D.J. Richardson (12.1 PPG) will have their hands full with Michigan’s lethal defense, which has allowed just 57.3 PPG in its past four road games.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
