The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (12-11, 2-8 Big 10) look to snap their five-game road losing streak in a matchup against the Illinois Fighting Illini (11-11, 1-8 Big 10) at State Farm Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.
Illinois opened as a 4.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 133.5 points.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction
In the Scarlet Knights’ last matchup, they were topped by the Penn State Nittany Lions, 60-43. Penn State’s rebounding was their biggest advantage. The Nittany Lions had more offensive rebounds (nine vs. two), defensive rebounds (33 vs. 25) and total rebounds (42 vs. 27). Issa Thiam was Rutgers’ high scorer with 12 points on 5-for-12 shooting.
The Fighting Illini edged the Indiana Hoosiers in their last game, 73-71. Illinois’ turnover percentage was their largest strength over Indiana. The Fighting Illini had a rate of 17.9 (worse than their season average of 16.8), while the Hoosiers posted a mark of 24.1 (above their season average of 15.5). With 19 points and six rebounds, Illinois’ Leron Black put together a good outing.
It will be a matchup of conflicting styles as the fast-breaking Fighting Illini will look to push the more methodical Scarlet Knights. The Fighting Illini rank 60th in possessions per game while the Scarlet Knights are 263rd. Furthermore, the Scarlet Knights’ 10th-ranked defense (opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 0.448) will square off against the Fighting Illini’s 264th-ranked offense (effective field goal percentage of 0.492).
Rutgers heads into the game with records of 12-11 straight up (SU) and 8-6-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas tends to set the total high when the Scarlet Knights are involved, as 66.7 percent of their games have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Illinois is 11-11 SU and 8-10 ATS. Fighting Illini games also have a tendency to finish under the projected point total (61.1 percent).
Trent Frazier has averaged 15.6 points, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals over the last five games for Illinois.
After the Scarlet Knights won the only game against the Fighting Illini last season, 62-59, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. One of Rutgers’ largest advantages was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 11-13 (84.6 percent), while the Fighting Illini were just 9-13 (69.2 percent).
Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Illinois Fighting Illini Free Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Illinois, ATS Winner – Rutgers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Rutgers is 1-4 ATS on the road with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Illinois is 4-5 ATS at home with 4 overs, 4 unders and 1 push.
Rutgers ranks 41st in blocks per game (4.6) while Illinois ranks 191st (2.2).
The Scarlet Knights rank 14th in rebounds per game (40.3) while the Fighting Illini rank 161st (35.4).
Illinois ranks 168th in three pointers attempted per game (21.4) while Rutgers ranks 286th (15.3).
The Fighting Illini rank 135th in assists per game (13.8) while the Scarlet Knights rank 253rd (10.7).
Rutgers ranks 53rd in steals per game (7.3) while Illinois ranks 137th in steals allowed per game (6.7).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Rutgers is 1-4 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Illinois is 1-4 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push over their last five games.
The Scarlet Knights have been outscored by an average of 8.8 points in their last five games. On the season, Rutgers has defeated opponents by an average of 4.7 points.
During their last five games, the Fighting Illini have scored an average of 71.4 points per game (5.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 80.2 points per game (7.5 above their season average).
