Indiana vs. Illinois prediction and odds for Thursday, January 19 (Back Fighting Illini)
By Josh Yourish
Brad Underwood’s team might’ve liked what it saw in the mirror a little too much after beating Texas back in early December.
At that point the Fighting Illini were 7-2 and ranked in the top 25, but quickly crashed back down to earth with losses to three consecutive Power 5 opponents, Penn State, Missouri and Northwestern.
That 73-60 loss at Northwestern was their low point, and Underwood must have gotten through to his team, because since then they’re 4-0 with an average margin of victory of 13.25 points. The Fighting Illini are 13-5 and 4-3 in the Big 10, a few spots ahead of 11-6 (2-4) Indiana.
The Hoosiers beat Wisconsin last time out but are still substantial underdogs on the road tonight.
Indiana vs. Illinois odds, spread and total
Indiana vs. Illinois prediction and pick
Last Saturday, Trayce Jackson-Davis took it to Wisconsin and led the Hoosiers to a win with 18 points, 12 boards, and four assists. He needs to play that way every game for IU to improve and become the threat in the Big 10 that everybody thought it would be this year.
What could be concerning for Illinois is that the last time it faced an offense that played primarily through the post, Stephen Crowl put up 20 points and twelve rebounds for Wisconsin.
The Fighting Illini ultimately won that game, but will Dain Dainja be able to hand Jackson-Davis down low? I’m not so sure.
Even if Jackson-Davis goes off, I don’t think it’ll matter.
Illinois has found balance on the offensive end.
Last game, its leading scorer, Terrance Shannon Jr. had 11 points, Matthew Mayer had 19, Dainja had 11 and Coleman Hawkins, maybe the Fighting Illini’s best all-around player had just three.
They’re 67th in offensive efficiency, but over their last three games, they would rank 12th.
Underwood’s team is 4-0 against the spread in their last four and 7-2 ATS in their last nine at home. There is value on the favorite in this one even with the spread at 6.5.
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