Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa State Cyclones Point Spread Pick

Illinois Fighting Illini (27-8 SU, 20-15-2 ATS) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (29-7 SU, 25-10-2 ATS)
When: Thursday, March 28th, 10:09 PM (ET)
Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA
TV: TBS

Betting odds

Point Spread: ILL +2/IOWAST -2
Total: 145.5
Money Line: Illinois Fighting Illini +111/-137

Notable Injuries

Fighting Illini: Max Williams (Out) Undisclosed

Cyclones: Kayden Fish (Out) Shoulder, Jelani Hamilton (Out) Redshirt, JT Rock (Out) Redshirt

Recent Form

Illinois steps onto the court as a 2-point underdog, with a notable 3-3 record as the underdog this season. On the road, they’ve secured a 7-5 record, boasting an average scoring margin of +5.7 points per game. Their games have frequently surpassed the total points line, with a 27-10 over/under record this season, indicating a tendency towards high-scoring matchups.

Conversely, Iowa State has showcased dominance at home with a 23-1 record, extending their home-winning streak to 19 games. As favorites, they’ve maintained a strong performance, with a 25-3 record when expected to win.

Betting Trends

Illinois has excelled against the spread (ATS) on the road, with an 8-3-1 record, and an impressive 7-3 ATS in their last 10 road games.

Iowa State’s home ATS record stands out at 18-5-1, reflecting their comfort and success on home turf.

The over/under line for this matchup is 145.5, surpassing the average line for Iowa State games but below Illinois’s high-scoring game average.

Handicapping Analysis

Illinois brings a high-octane offense into this matchup, averaging 84.6 points per game, powered by efficient shooting both from the field and the free-throw line. Their rebounding, ranked 4th nationally, provides them a significant advantage in maintaining possession and creating scoring opportunities.

Iowa State, known for their stout defense, limiting opponents to 61.3 points per game, faces a challenging test against Illinois’s dynamic offense. The Cyclones’ defensive prowess, ranked 5th nationally, will be key to containing Illinois’s scoring threats.

Crew’s Pick Against the Spread

Given Illinois’ scoring depth and rebounding strength, they are well-equipped to challenge Iowa State’s defense. Their ability to start games strongly and dominate the boards sets the stage for a potential upset. Betting on Illinois to leverage their statistical advantages, particularly in scoring and rebounding, presents a compelling opportunity for bettors. The Illini’s efficient offense and strong start to games could potentially outpace Iowa State’s defensive strategies, making Illinois +2 a savvy betting choice in this high-stakes matchup.