East Tennessee State at Illinois College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/15/2018

Saturday, December 15, 2018

State Farm Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The East Tennessee State Buccaneers travel to State Farm Center to play the Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday, December 15, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Illinois as 5.5 point favorites.

East Tennessee State heads into this matchup with a mark of 8-3. They currently have a point differential of 15.0 as they are averaging 80.2 points per contest while giving up 65.2 per game. Illinois has an overall mark of 3-7. They are averaging 76.3 points per contest and giving up 76.8, which is a point differential of -0.5.

Valuable East Tennessee State Buccaneers Betting Trends

The East Tennessee State Buccaneers are 8-1-0 against the spread

The East Tennessee State Buccaneers are 5-4-0 against the over/under

Important Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 3-7-0 against the spread

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 6-4-0 against the over/under

Key East Tennessee State Buccaneers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Illinois Fighting Illini Injuries

12/01/18 G Tevian Jones Suspension is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Tray Boyd III comes into this contest averaging 13.1 points per game while playing 25.4 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 2.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.0 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 60%. Jeromy Rodriguez averages 12.2 points per game in 29.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.6 assists per contest and 12.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 56% for the year while his free throw percentage is 77%.

Player Spotlight

Trent Frazier averages 14.3 points per game while playing 28.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 2.6 rebounds per game and has 3.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 79%. Ayo Dosunmu averages 12.0 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.5 rebounds per contest and 3.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 61%.

Useful Team Statistics

East Tennessee State averages 80.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 72nd in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 15.0 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 71st. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 106th in the nation. They average 43.4 rebounds per game and 16.0 assists per game, which ranks them 10th and 59th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 97th with 14.6 per game. The Buccaneers allow 65.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 54th in the country. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 30% average from behind the arc, ranking them 96th and 66th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 28.2 rebounds a game which ranks 4th and they give up 11.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 101st place in Division 1. They force 14.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 228th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Illinois is 138th in the country with 76.3 points per game this year. They are 220th in Division 1 in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -0.5. They shoot 39% from 3-point range, which is good for 43rd in the nation. They are 286th in the NCAA in rebounding with 33.6 boards per game, and 79th in assists per contest with 15.4. The Fighting Illini are 104th in turnovers per game with 14.5. The Fighting Illini surrender 76.8 points per contest, which ranks them 276th in D-1. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 313th and 182nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 132nd with 12.3 assists allowed per contest and 254th with 36.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Fighting Illini are 333rd in country in forcing turnovers with 17.7 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Buccaneers have an offensive rating of 112.1, which is ranked 63rd. They are 154th in college basketball in pace with 71.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 74th. As a unit they are 117th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shot attempts, ranking 193rd in D-1. East Tennessee State is 132nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.1 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Illinois is 136th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17 times per 100 possessions. The Fighting Illini are 195th in the country in offensive rating with 103.8. In terms of pace they are 87th in Division 1 with 73.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 190th. As a team they are 214th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 165th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's East Tennessee State/Illinois college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Illinois -5.5

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