Illinois Fighting Illini at Marquette Golden Eagles Betting Preview
Monday night features a battle between the Big Ten and Big East as the No. 11 Illinois Fighting Illini (2-0) take on the Marquette Golden Eagles (2-0). The Eagles will host this one at Fiserv Forum, with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 pm ET.
The Illini have gotten off to a nice start despite playing inferior competition. In two games, they have an average win differential of +31.5 as they beat Jackson State 71-47 and Arkansas State 92-53.
In their last game over Arkansas State, forward Coleman Hawkins led the way with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Jacob Grandison (15 points) and Trent Frazier (12 points) also scored in double figures.
Marquette has also gotten off to a 2-0 start after beating SIUE (88-77) and New Hampshire (75-70). In the win over New Hampshire, Darryl Morsell had 26 points while Justin Lewis added 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Illinois is the favorite despite playing on the road. They are -378 to win while the Golden Eagles’ moneyline sits at +289. The spread features Marquette +8 (-110).
By The Numbers
Illinois has been solid as of late as they are 10-1 in their last 11 games and 8-1 in their last nine road games. In the month of November, the Illini are 9-0 in their last nine matchups.
Marquette is 4-1 in their last five games; however, they are just 2-4 against the spread in their last six. The over has hit more recently (six of their last eight games) for the Golden Eagles.
Illinois Gets First Test, Will Still Be Shorthanded
The Fighting Illini have had it pretty easy in their first two games of the schedule, but they will get their first real test of the year when they travel to take on Marquette. Especially with Darryl Morsell and Justin Lewis on the floor, the Illini will have to up their effort on the defensive end.
They will also still be shorthanded in this one. Big man Kofi Cockburn will be serving the last of a three-game suspension due to NCAA violations in regards to the selling of university apparel (something that is actually considered legal now).
Luckily, the Illini got two of their better players back from injury in Trent Frazier and Andre Curbelo. Seen as a defensive wizard, Frazier will be especially important against the Golden Eagles as he may be asked to shut down Morsell.
Guard Jacob Grandison is currently the leading scorer for the Illini as he is averaging 17.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. Coleman Hawkins has been the other impressive standout thus far, averaging 15 points, ten rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 2.5 blocks.
Albeit through just two games, the Illini rank eighth in the nation in scoring defense, allowing opposition just 50 points per game.
Marquette Looks For Early Upset
Like the Illini, Marquette has gotten off to a 2-0 start; however, their wins have not been quite as impressive thus far. Most notably, they are allowing 73.5 points per game to what have been mostly low or mid-major competition.
Still, expect Marquette to try to elevate their game as they welcome the ranked Illini. Especially with Illinois star Kofi Cockburn sidelined, the Golden Eagles will look for a major upset early on in the season.
Leading the way for Marquette through the first two games is guard Darryl Morsell. He is averaging 23.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. He is also shooting 60% from the field and 50% from the three.
Justin Lewis (17 points, 11 rebounds, 1.5 steals) and Stevie Mitchell (10.5 points, three assists, one steal) have also gotten off to nice starts.
Take Illini To Win
This one simply comes down to depth. While the Golden Eagles have some legitimate talent on the floor, they just don’t have quite the depth that the Illini have.
For that reason, expect this one to be close through the first half, but also expect the Illini to pull away in the second half as they wear down Marquette.
Take the Illini to win, and don’t hesitate to bet them to cover the 8-point spread either.
