Following the disappointment of missing the NCAA tournament last year Wisconsin had to look into the mirror. Most important of all the Badgers had to recommit to who they are. Head coach Greg Gard went back to the basics with a defense first approach. And the results have been profits with the college basketball betting line. However, Monday’s matchup could pose a tricky predicament for UW. Illinois has proven to be unpredictable. Further the Illini have shown the ability to spring upsets against ranked opponents. To be exact Michigan State was stunned in a recent loss to Illinois.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Wisconsin Badgers
Date and Time: Monday, February 18, 2019, 8 p.m. ET
Location: Kohl Center, Madison, Wisconsin
NCAA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | +9½ (-110) | 135 (-110) |  |
| Wisconsin | -9½ (-110) | 135 (-110) | |
| |||
Illinois vs. Wisconsin TV Coverage: FS1
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois has dropped four of their last seven on the board with seven of their last nine games going over the total. Accordingly, the Illini are now 9-15 straight up, 10-14 against the spread, and 13-10-1 over the total. National metrics have Illinois ranked 128th for scoring offense and 276th for points allowed. And the Big Ten standings show the Illini in ninth position.
Wisconsin Badgers
Following six straight payouts Wisconsin has failed to pay in their last two games. Eight of UW’s last nine games have gone under the total. Overall the Badgers are 17-8 straight up, 14-11 vs. the odds, and 10-14 under the total. Wisky has been operating at the extremes of the national metrics. To illuminate, the Badgers rank 260th for scoring offense but 10th for points allowed. Wisconsin is in fifth place in the Big Ten.
Important Names on Court
Wisconsin is led by one of the greatest players in Big Ten history. Indeed, Ethan Happ is setting records en route to the NBA draft. Happ is averaging 18.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Increasingly Happ has carried the Badgers likely bid for March Madness.
Stats to Consider
Illinois has been a subpar college basketball betting line value as a road dog. Specifically, the Illini have lost ten of their last 16 on the board in that role. Seven of their last 11 as away pups stayed under the total. Along the same lines Wisconsin has been in the red as a home chalk. UW has paid in just five of their last 12 laying points at Kohl Center. Just two of their last five as home favorites went over the total.
Team vs. Team
In sum Wisconsin has totally owned Illinois in this NCAA Basketball series. As a matter of fact, the Illini have gotten the money in only one of their last 14 games against the Badgers. Six of the last seven games between these teams went under the total. And at Kohl Center UW has paid in six of their last seven against Illinois. Four of the last five in this matchup at Madison stayed under the total.
Matchup to Watch
In this situation, Wisconsin rates the matchup advantage with the college basketball betting line. As mentioned earlier they own the series and Illinois is a poor road value. Further, UW will have the best player on the court in Happ.
Illinois vs. Wisconsin NCAA games Betting Odds Picks
On this occasion Wisconsin and Happ at home rate the advantage.
Illinois vs. Wisconsin NCAA Betting Online Pick: Wisconsin Badgers
Illinois vs. Wisconsin NCAA Betting Online Score Prediction: Badgers 69, Illini 58
Catch highlights of Wisconsin’s win at Illinois earlier this season!