Missouri vs Illinois NCAA Basketball Picks 12/21/2019

Game: Missouri Tigers vs Illinois Fighting Illini

Date: Saturday, December 21, 2019

Location: Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO

TV: SECN

Odds/Point Spread: Illinois -2

Total/Over-Under: 130.5

The Missouri Tigers travel to Enterprise Center to play the Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday, December 21, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Illinois as 2 point favorites.

Missouri comes into this game with an overall record of 6-4. They currently have a point differential of 8.3 as they are averaging 66.2 points per game while giving up 57.9 per contest. Illinois has an overall mark of 8-3. They are averaging 81.4 points per contest and giving up 66.7, which is a point differential of 14.6.

Valuable Missouri Tigers Betting Trends

The Missouri Tigers are 5-4-1 against the spread

The Missouri Tigers are 1-9-0 against the over/under

Important Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 5-4-1 against the spread

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

Key Missouri Tigers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Illinois Fighting Illini Injuries

11/25/19 G Tevian Jones Suspension is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Dru Smith averages 10.8 points per game in 29.9 minutes per contest. He averages 4.2 assists per contest and 4.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 88%. Mark Smith comes into this contest averaging 12.9 points per game while playing 31.3 minutes per night. He pulls down 5.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 0.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 59% while his free throw percentage is at 79%.

Player Spotlight

Ayo Dosunmu averages 14.8 points per game and he sees the court an average of 31.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.1 rebounds per contest and 3.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 77%. Kofi Cockburn averages 15.4 points per game while playing 25.8 minutes per contest. He grabs 10.5 rebounds per game and has 0.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 59% and his free throw percentage is at 68%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Tigers allow 57.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 14th in Division 1. They also allow a 37% shooting percentage and a 28% average from behind the arc, ranking them 16th and 32nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.7 rebounds a game which ranks 53rd, and they give up 9.7 assists per contest which puts them in 31st place in the NCAA. They force 14.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 209th in the nation. Missouri averages 66.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 296th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 8.3 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 230th. Behind the arc they shoot 27% which is good for 337th in D-1. They average 36.9 rebounds per game and 12.0 assists per contest, which ranks them 153rd and 270th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 105th with 14.6 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Fighting Illini surrender 66.7 points per contest, which ranks them 138th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 42% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 155th and 178th in those defensive statistics. They rank 143rd with 11.9 assists allowed per contest, and 3rd with 28.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Fighting Illini are 154th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 13.8 per game. Illinois is 24th in the country with 81.4 points per game this year. They are 15th in the D-1 in shooting at 49%, while their average scoring margin is 14.6. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 238th in the nation. They are 15th in the country in rebounding with 42.3 boards per game and 77th in assists per contest with 15.2. The Fighting Illini are 55th in turnovers per game with 15.5.

Advanced Statistics

The Tigers are 254th in the nation in offensive rating with 98.2. In terms of pace they are 309th in the country with 66.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 241st. As a team they are 213th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shots, ranking 77th in Division 1. Missouri is 63rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 18.8 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Illinois is 101st in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 18 times per 100 possessions. The Fighting Illini are 32nd in the country in offensive rating with 111.9. In terms of pace they are 109th in Division 1 with 71.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 59th. As a team they are 40th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 28% of their shots, ranking 333rd in the nation.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Illinois -2

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