Illinois basketball betting odds, predictions, and game info against Wisconsin

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 18: Dain Dainja #42 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dunks against the UCLA Bruins in the first half of their game during the Continental Tire Main Event basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 18: Dain Dainja #42 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dunks against the UCLA Bruins in the first half of their game during the Continental Tire Main Event basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The Illinois basketball program needs to get back on track, and we will try to do that on Saturday against No. 14 Wisconsin.

It has been a rough few weeks for the Illini. We now stand at 9-5 for the season and 0-3 in the Big Ten. On top of the rough start, the Orange and Blue have now lost starting point guard, Skyy Clark. But this could be the wake-up call this program needs.

For the season, I am 2-3 moneyline, 2-4 spread, and 2-4 over/under. Much like the program, it is time to turn this thing around.

Here are the Illinois basketball betting odds, predictions, and game info against Wisconsin.

Odds

Illinois basketball vs. Wisconsin – Moneyline

For some reason, Illinois is actually a decent favorite against the Badgers. Illinois is at -300 and Wisconsin is at +240 on the moneyline.

Advice

Honestly, it doesn’t make sense for Illinois to be favored over Wisconsin. The Badgers are playing some good basketball, and the Illini are completely lost on the court.

Illinois’ offense has struggled as of late. Over the last three games against power-five programs, we have only scored 59, 71, and 60 points. That is not going to win you a lot of games.

On top of the scoring slump, Wisconsin is one of the best teams in the country when it comes to scoring defense. They are only giving up 61.2 points per game this season, which ranks No. 20 in the country.

The fact Las Vegas thinks Illinois is a solid favorite is confusing. As a fan, I want the Illini to come out victorious. As a gambler, this seems like an obvious bet. Take Wisconsin and the moneyline.

Prediction – Wisconsin +240

Illinois basketball vs. Wisconsin – Spread

If you thought the moneyline was confusing, check out this spread. Illinois is currently a 7.5-point favorite of a ranked Wisconsin team that is 11-2 overall and 3-0 in the Big Ten. WHAT?

Advice

I don’t know if Las Vegas knows something we don’t know, but wow, this seems like a bet to jump on.

I touched on Wisconsin’s great defense in the moneyline section. They don’t allow points, and Illinois’ offense has not been on-point lately. That is a combination for a Badgers win.

The Illini defense hasn’t been stellar lately either. In the last game against Northwestern, Illinois allowed the Wildcats to shoot 38.9% from three-point range. For the season, Illini opponents are shooting 33.1% from behind the three-point arc, which ranks No. 166 in the country.

Illinois’ bad three-point shooting defense could bite us on Saturday. Wisconsin is a good three-point shooting team, as they are hitting 38.2% of their three-point shots this season. That is good enough to rank No. 21 in the nation.

Everything on paper and what I have seen with my eyes says Wisconsin is going to win this game. Las Vegas is giving them 7.5 points. Pound the spread hard.

Prediction – Wisconsin +7.5

Illinois basketball vs. Wisconsin – Over/Under

The over/under in the Northwestern game was 132.5, and the game finished at 133 points. We are looking at another low-scoring affair with Wisconsin, as the over/under is set at 131.5 points.

Advice

It is hard to not automatically say this game is going to go over 131.5 points. That means each team just needs to score 66 points, which doesn’t seem like a difficult task.

Wisconsin plays an extremely slow brand of basketball. They only average 67.4 possessions per game, which ranks No. 320 out of 363 teams in DI basketball. That means they eat up the shot clock, which naturally lowers the score.

The Badgers are also averaging 68.5 points per game, which ranks No. 218 in the country. This low scoring is due to them slowing the game down.

Illinois is terrible in the half-court this season. We like to run and gun, but that is not what the Badgers are about. The only caveat to all of this is the fact that Illinois is going to come into the game with a new lineup after Skyy Clark’s departure. This might mean playing some of the younger guys more, which means more energy.

Even though Wisconsin doesn’t score a ton of points, and the game gets slowed down, they are efficient with their offense. I just can’t see this game not getting to 132 points. I am, hesitantly, taking the over.

Prediction – Over 131.5 points

Illinois basketball vs. Northwestern – Game Info

Date & Time: January 7 – 12:30 p.m. CT

TV: ESPN 2

Streaming: Fubo TV