Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan Wolverines Betting Preview

The top two teams in the Big Ten will square off on Tuesday as the No. 4 Illinois Fighting Illini (18-6, 2nd in the Big Ten) will take on the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines (18-1, 1st in the Big Ten). Michigan will host this one from the Crisler Center, with tipoff scheduled for 7 pm ET.
Illinois comes in having won two in a row, including a 74-69 win over No. 25 Wisconsin on Saturday. In the victory, Kofi Cockburn had 19 points and seven rebounds to lead the way for the Illini. With an eye on postseason seeding, an upset over the Wolverines may solidify a number one seed.
Michigan has the same goal of securing a one seed for the NCAA tournament. At 18-1 overall and 13-1 in the conference, Michigan has proven that it is one of the top teams in the nation. If they can manage one win in their next three games, they will be secured as the best team in the Big Ten this regular season.
The Wolverines are overwhelming favorites playing at home. They are -400 to win while the Illini’s moneyline sits at +315. The spread features Illinois +8 while the over/under for total points is 146.5.
By The Numbers
Offensively, Illinois holds a slight advantage. They rank 11th in the nation in scoring averaging 81.2 points per game. The Wolverines average 78.8 points per game, which is 26th.
Defensively, it is Michigan with the edge. They rank 50th in the nation in scoring defense allowing opponents 65.2 points per game. Illinois falls to 125th, allowing an average of 69.2 points per game.
Illinois Looks For Major Upset As Postseason Approaches
With how well Michigan has played, it would be an upset if Illinois won when they were at full strength. It will be even more of an upset if they can do it without their best player on the court.
Ayo Dosunmu has remained sidelined due to a facial injury. While he is technically day-to-day, there has been no timetable given by the team. While there could be a chance he suits up for Michigan, there is probably an even greater chance Illinois holds him out until the postseason.
This season, Dosunmu has averaged 21 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. If he is out, big man Cockburn is going to have to pick up the slack. Cockburn has averaged 17.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game this season.
Other contributors for the Illini include Trent Frazier (10.4 points, three rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 steals), Adam Miller (8.5 points, 2.6 rebounds), and Andre Curbelo (8.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists).
Michigan Looks To Finish Strong
Michigan is the type of team that could make a run at a national championship this month. They can beat you on both sides of the court and have the size and depth to dominate other teams.
The Wolverines have been led this season by big man Hunter Dickinson. On the season, he is averaging 14.8 points on 62.1% shooting. He is also averaging 7.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks.
He doesn’t have to do it alone, though. Both Isaiah Livers (14.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists) and Franz Wagner (13.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals) are capable of taking over the game at any moment.
If those three weren’t enough, the Wolverines still have three others averaging over eight points per game.
Taking Michigan To Win And Cover
If Dosunmu were to play in this, I am all over Illinois at +8. Without him, it becomes a little more of a dice roll.
Michigan is an impressive 15-4 against the spread this season and are a perfect 12-0 when playing at home. To their credit, Illinois is 15-9 against the spread and 7-3 on the road.
One of Michigan’s strengths is their size and length, and if Dosunmu is out, they will be able to focus on stopping Cockburn. While the Illini bench is deep, I don’t know if they are deep enough to keep up with the Wolverines without Dosunmu.
If Dosunmu plays, take Illinois and the points. If not, I am taking Michigan to win and cover the 8-point spread.