Nebraska at Illinois College Basketball Picks & Predictions 2/18/2018

Sunday, February 18, 2018

State Farm Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers head to State Farm Center to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini on Sunday, February 18, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Nebraska as 1 point favorites.

Nebraska heads into this matchup with a mark of 20-8. They currently have a point differential of 4.7 as they are averaging 73.6 points per contest while giving up 68.9 per game. Illinois has an overall record of 12-15. They are averaging 75.7 points per game and surrendering 72.7, good for a point differential of 3.0.

Valuable Nebraska Cornhuskers Betting Trends

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are 20-6 against the spread this season

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are 9-17 against the over/under this year

Important Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 9-13 against the spread this season

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 9-13 against the over/under this year

Key Nebraska Cornhuskers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Illinois Fighting Illini Injuries

02/17/18 G De'Monte Williams Ankle is "?" Sunday vs Nebraska
02/17/18 F Michael Finke Concussion is "?" Sunday vs Nebraska

Player Spotlight

James Palmer averages 17.9 points per contest while playing 30.4 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.9 assists per game. His FG percentage is 56% while his free throw percentage is 75%. Isaac Copeland averages 12.8 points per contest in 30.2 minutes per game this year. He averages 1.1 assists per game and 6.2 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 48% for the season while his free throw percentage is 70%.

Player Spotlight

Leron Black scores 14.6 points per contest while playing 25.8 minutes per game this season. He hauls in 5.5 rebounds per contest and has 0.9 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 56% and his free throw percentage is at 79%. Trent Frazier averages 12.3 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 25 minutes per game. He also brings in 1.8 rebounds per game and has 2.9 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 63%.

Useful Team Statistics

Nebraska averages 73.6 points per contest this year, which is 193rd in the nation. Their average scoring margin is 4.7 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a unit, which has them ranked 234th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 158th in Division 1. They average 36.2 boards per contest and 13.8 assists per game, which ranks them 134th and 167th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 328th with 11.0 per game. The Cornhuskers allow 68.9 points per contest, which is 93rd in the country. They also surrender a 42% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 76th and 30th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 38.2 rebounds a game which ranks 312th, and they allow 12.5 assists per game which puts them in 114th place in college basketball. They force 12.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 109th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Illinois is 124th in the country with 75.7 points per contest this season. They are 221st in the nation in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 3.0. They shoot 32% from beyond the arc, which is good for 325th in Division 1. They are 267th in the country in rebounding with 33.9 boards per contest and 206th in assists per game with 13.3. The Fighting Illini are 69th in turnovers per contest with 14.3. The Fighting Illini give up 72.7 points per game, which ranks them 184th in the nation. Their defense surrenders a 47% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 303rd and 71st in those defensive statistics. They rank 104th with 12.4 dimes allowed per game and 83rd with 33.0 boards surrendered per contest. The Fighting Illini are 345th in college basketball in forcing turnovers with 17.7 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Cornhuskers are 112th in the country in defensive rating with 99.9, and their offensive rating of 106.8 is ranked 130th. They are 239th in college basketball in pace with 68.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 235th. As a unit they are 206th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 228th in D-1. Nebraska is 322nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 47%, which is 27th in the country.

Advanced Statistics

Illinois is 121st in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 21.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 270th in Division 1. The Fighting Illini are 119th in the nation in defensive rating with 100.3, and their offensive rating of 104.4 is ranked 181st. They are 83rd in D-1 in pace with 71.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 261st. As a unit they are 241st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 220th in the country.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Nebraska -1

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