After rattling off three straight wins, the Illinois basketball team looks to make it four in a row on Saturday against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
The Illini have been playing well for much of the past month. The last time we saw this crew was on Tuesday when we turned a close game against Nebraska into a blowout late in the second half.
Our record this year betting Illinois is 7-5 moneyline, 5-7 spread, and 8-5 over/under. Over the past two games, we are 6-0 betting the Orange and Blue. Let’s see if we can keep this streak alive.
Here are the Illinois basketball betting odds, predictions, and game info against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Odds
Illinois basketball vs. Iowa – Moneyline
For the first time in a long time, Illinois is opening the game up as an underdog. The Illini are getting +130 odds for the moneyline, and the Hawkeyes check in at -150.
Advice
Iowa didn’t start the 2022-23 campaign off on the right foot. In late December and early January, they went on a three-game losing streak to drop their record to 8-6 on the season.
Since then, the Hawkeyes have rattled off some big wins. They won four in a row and six out of the past eight contests. When you break their record down, Iowa is 12-4 at home and 2-4 on the road this season.
Illinois has been even hotter than Iowa in the past month, though. We also have a four-game winning streak, but the Illini have won seven out of the past eight contests. The only loss was at home to Indiana when Matthew Mayer was sick.
The Illini have been particularly good on the road. Since January 10, Illinois has traveled to Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and won those games by an average of 14.7 points.
In my mind, there is no doubt this game is going to be close. The crowds will be extra hostile, especially after the Orange Krush ticket issue. But I think Illinois is playing some of their best basketball of the season. I like the Illini in a tight game.
Prediction – Illinois +130
Illinois basketball vs. Iowa – Spread
Iowa is a favorite in the moneyline, and they are going to be giving Illinois some points on Saturday as well. The Illini are three-point underdogs against the Hawkeyes.
Advice
As mentioned above, I think this is going to be a pretty close game. When it is all said and done, I think it could easily come down to three-point shooting.
Illinois struggles against good three-point shooting teams, and Iowa is decent at knocking down those shots from deep. The Hawkeyes average shooting 35.2% from three-point range this season, which ranks No. 117 in the country.
What scares me the most is how well Iowa has shot the deep ball as of late. They torched Northwestern from deep, going 10-of-21, and they knocked down 12-of-24 from three-point range against Rutgers. That is 48.9% from three-point range in their last two contests.
For the season, Illinois hasn’t been bad at defending the three-point shot. We are only giving up 32.1% from distance, which ranks No. 102 in the country. But I don’t believe that number tells the entire story.
In our last game against Nebraska, the Illini gave up 40% from three-point range. In the game prior, Wisconsin shot 33.3%. In the win over Ohio State, the Buckeyes shot 40%.
Illinois has a tendency to give up some points from three-point range. Iowa likes to shoot three-pointers. That is a scary thing to think about.
Even though Iowa is good at three-point shooting, their defense is suspect, at best. The Hawkeyes are giving up 73.3 points per game this season, which ranks No. 258 in the country. If Iowa is hitting their shots, Illinois can still come back down the court and put the ball in the hoop. I think the Hawkeyes are going to be relying on three-pointers for the entire game, which is a dangerous game to play for them. I like Illinois and the points.
Prediction – Illinois +3
Illinois basketball vs. Iowa – Over/Under
The Illini have been playing a lot of games that have hit the under lately. On Saturday, the over/under for the Iowa game is one of the highest I have seen this season at 152.5 points.
Advice
I believe 152.5 points is the highest over/under for an Illinois game this season. Even though that seems like a lot of points, it is a very tough line.
Both Illinois and Iowa play a fast-paced game. The Illini average 72 possessions per game, which ranks No. 91 in the nation. Iowa is even faster, though. The Hawkeyes average 73.1 possessions per game, which ranks No. 53 in the nation.
As mentioned above, Iowa’s defense is one of the worst in the nation as well. They are giving up 73.3 points per game this season. The Hawkeyes also allow opponents to shoot 34.3% from three-point range, which ranks No. 207 in the country.
In the six Big Ten home games Iowa has played this season, the games are averaging 164.8 points per game. Iowa’s defense is bad. Both teams play quickly. Illinois allows opponents to shoot well from three-point range. It is a recipe for the over.
Prediction – Over 152.5 points
Illinois basketball vs. Iowa – Game Info
Date & Time: February 4 – 1:30 p.m. CT
TV: Fox
Streaming: Fubo TV