Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan Wolverines Betting Preview/Prop Pick

Selection Sunday is in just two weeks, and that will make every college basketball game more important. The Michigan Wolverines host the Illinois Fighting Illini on Sunday, and this will be a huge game for each team.

Illinois can still win the Big Ten Conference this season, but they can’t afford to take any more losses along the way. The Fighting Illini are now 19-8 on the season after losing to Ohio State at home earlier this week. 

Michigan is barely hanging on to a chance at reaching the NCAA Tournament, but a win over Illinois would go a long way. The Wolverines come into this game with a record of 15-11, and they got off to a pretty poor start in Big Ten Conference action. 

The Michigan Wolverines are slim one-point betting favorites over the Illinois Fighting Illini on Sunday.

Illinois Has to Make Shots

Illinois has the ability to completely take over the game on the offensive end of the floor, especially when they are shooting the ball well. Alphonso Plummer is the best shooter in the conference, and Trent Frazier is capable of going off at any time.

Kofi Cockburn continues to be the most dominant threat in the Big Ten Conference as he is averaging 21.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Cockburn was shut down in the loss to Ohio State, but he should bounce back in a big way.

Illinois has also been a great defensive team this season, holding opponents to just 67 points per game. If the Fighting Illini are playing with toughness, then they are a nightmare to deal with. 

Michigan Must Slow Down Cockburn

If Michigan is going to win this game, then it will have to find a way to slow down Kofi Cockburn. Michigan has been great on the defensive end of late, but it will be up to Hunter Dickinson to take control in this matchup.

Dickinson is averaging 18 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, and he will be looking to get Cockburn away from the hoop. Michigan will have plenty of shooters around Dickinson, but finding shooting space won’t be easy against a terrific Illini defense. 

The Wolverines continue to be without head coach Juwan Howard as well, and that could complicate things if this turns into a tight matchup. 

Fighting Illini Take Control 

Illinois did not play well in their most recent game against the Ohio State Buckeyes, but this team always seems to bounce back. Brad Underwood will have his team ready for this game, and you can expect to see a great performance from the Fighting Illini. 

Michigan just has not been consistent enough, and they are going to have a tough time getting good looks against Illinois. The Wolverines will have the advantage of playing at home, but that won’t matter against a great Illinois team. 

Michigan will do all it can to hold on to this game at home, but they just won’t have enough offense. Bet the Illinois Fighting Illini moneyline as they pick up an impressive road win and sweep the Michigan Wolverines this season.

Prop Pick

Michigan (-115) UNDER 70.5 Points

Illinois is allowing 67.4 points per game on defense, which ranks No. 133 in the nation. Scores have gone UNDER in each of the Fighting Illini’s last four games versus teams with a winning record (Michigan is 15-11 SU).

With Dunkel predicting a Illinois win by the score of 71-63, take the Wolverines (-115) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 70.5 points against the Fighting Illini.

Be sure to check out all of our NCAAB picks!