Illinois at Missouri College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/23/2017

Saturday, December 23, 2017

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Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Illinois Fighting Illini travel to Scottrade Center to play the Missouri Tigers on Saturday, December 23, 2017.

Illinois comes into this game with an overall record of 8-5. They currently have a point differential of 11.8 as they are averaging 82.5 points per game while giving up 70.8 per contest. Missouri has an overall mark of 10-2. They are averaging 80.2 points per contest and giving up 66.3, which is a point differential of 13.9.

Valuable Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 5-5 against the spread this season

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 3-7 against the over/under this year

Important Missouri Tigers Betting Trends

The Missouri Tigers are 6-5 against the spread this season

The Missouri Tigers are 6-5 against the over/under this year

Key Illinois Fighting Illini Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Missouri Tigers Injuries

12/08/17 G C.J. Roberts Left Team is out for season
11/22/17 F Michael Porter Jr. Back is out for season

Player Spotlight

Leron Black averages 13.9 points per game while playing 24.9 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is at 83%. Aaron Jordan averages 12.1 points per game in 21.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 0.5 assists per contest and 3.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 57% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Player Spotlight

Kassius Robertson averages 14.5 points per game while playing 32.1 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 1.8 rebounds per game and has 2.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 78%. Jordan Barnett averages 14.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.8 rebounds per contest and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 91%.

Useful Team Statistics

Illinois averages 82.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 50th in the nation. Their average scoring margin is 11.8 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 191st. Behind the arc they shoot 33%, which is good for 251st in the country. They average 37.6 rebounds per game and 15.2 assists per game, which ranks them 122nd and 110th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 84th with 14.8 per game. The Fighting Illini allow 70.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 150th in Division 1. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 225th and 244th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.6 rebounds a game which ranks 49th and they give up 11.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 46th place in college basketball. They force 19.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 344th in the nation.

Useful Team Statistics

Missouri is 83rd in the country with 80.2 points per game this year. They are 39th in D-1 in shooting at 49%, while their average scoring margin is 13.9. They shoot 40% from 3-point range, which is good for 38th in college basketball. They are 49th in the nation in rebounding with 39.8 boards per game, and 52nd in assists per contest with 16.6. The Tigers are 83rd in turnovers per game with 14.9. The Tigers surrender 66.3 points per contest, which ranks them 67th in the country. Their defense allows a 39% shooting percentage and a 31% average from 3-point range, ranking them 41st and 66th in those defensive statistics. They rank 23rd with 10.3 assists allowed per contest and 17th with 30.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Tigers are 104th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 12.9 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Fighting Illini are 114th in the nation in offensive rating with 108.5, and their defensive rating of 93 is ranked 53rd. In terms of pace they are 47th in the country with 74.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 212th. As a team they are 175th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 232nd in Division 1. Illinois is 176th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 23 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 181st in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

Missouri is 60th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 18.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 45%, which is 36th in the nation. The Tigers are 31st in the country in offensive rating with 115.6, and their defensive rating of 95.6 is ranked 95th. In terms of pace they are 259th in Division 1 with 69.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 58% is 17th. As a team they are 20th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 61% and they shoot 3-pointers on 45% of their shots, ranking 47th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Illinois/Missouri college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Missouri

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