Illinois at Northwestern College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/1/2017

Friday, December 1, 2017

Allstate Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Illinois Fighting Illini travel to Allstate Arena to play the Northwestern Wildcats on Friday, December 1, 2017. The opening line for this game has Northwestern as 7.5 point favorites.

Illinois comes into this game with an overall record of 6-1. They currently have a point differential of 16.6 as they are averaging 86.7 points per game while giving up 70.1 per contest. Northwestern has an overall mark of 4-3. They are averaging 72.1 points per contest and giving up 70.6, which is a point differential of 1.6.

Valuable Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 2-2 against the spread this season

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 1-3 against the over/under this year

Important Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends

The Northwestern Wildcats are 1-4 against the spread this season

The Northwestern Wildcats are 3-2 against the over/under this year

Key Illinois Fighting Illini Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Northwestern Wildcats Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Leron Black averages 14.1 points per game while playing 24.4 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is at 83%. Aaron Jordan averages 13 points per game in 19.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 0.6 assists per contest and 4.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 64% for the year while his free throw percentage is 76%.

Player Spotlight

Bryant McIntosh averages 15.7 points per game while playing 35.9 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4 rebounds per game and has 5.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 100%. Scottie Lindsey averages 15.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.1 rebounds per contest and 1.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Illinois averages 86.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 31st in the nation. Their average scoring margin is 16.6 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 189th. Behind the arc they shoot 35%, which is good for 192nd in the country. They average 37.6 rebounds per game and 17.3 assists per game, which ranks them 138th and 43rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 200th with 13.3 per game. The Fighting Illini allow 70.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 144th in Division 1. They also allow a 43% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 177th and 252nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 32.1 rebounds a game which ranks 67th and they give up 10.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 40th place in college basketball. They force 20.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 345th in the nation.

Useful Team Statistics

Northwestern is 236th in the country with 72.1 points per game this year. They are 220th in D-1 in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 1.6. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 195th in college basketball. They are 329th in the nation in rebounding with 31.7 boards per game, and 215th in assists per contest with 13.4. The Wildcats are 283rd in turnovers per game with 12.1. The Wildcats surrender 70.6 points per contest, which ranks them 150th in the country. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 290th and 283rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 262nd with 14.7 assists allowed per contest and 60th with 32.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Wildcats are 167th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 14.1 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Fighting Illini are 58th in the nation in offensive rating with 113.5, and their defensive rating of 91.8 is ranked 63rd. In terms of pace they are 35th in the country with 76.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 196th. As a team they are 139th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 197th in Division 1. Illinois is 283rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 23.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 156th in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

Northwestern is 222nd in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 18.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 285th in Division 1. The Wildcats are 224th in the nation in defensive rating with 102.3, and their offensive rating of 104.6 is ranked 188th. They are 275th in D-1 in pace with 69 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 197th. As a unit they are 164th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shot attempts, ranking 112th in the country.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Northwestern -7.5

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