Illinois Fighting Illini vs Tennessee Volunteers Prediction, 12/9/2023 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Tennessee Volunteers

Date: Saturday, December 9, 2023

Location: Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN

TV: CBS

The Tennessee Volunteers (5-3) will take on the Illinois Fighting Illini (7-1) at Thompson-Boling Arena on Saturday.

The Illinois Fighting Illini faced Florida Atlantic and went home with a win by a final score of 98-89 in their last game. Illinois ended the contest having earned a 63.2% field goal percentage (36 out of 57) and made 8 of 20 shots from beyond the arc. From the free throw line, the Fighting Illini made 18 of their 20 tries for a rate of 90.0%. In reference to getting rebounds, they compiled 23 with 4 of them being offensive. They also dished out 10 assists for this game while forcing 13 turnovers and getting 4 steals. In relation to defense, Illinois allowed the other team to shoot 48.4% from the floor on 31 of 64 shooting. Florida Atlantic earned 23 assists and had 7 steals in the matchup. On top of that, Florida Atlantic collected 26 boards (10 offensive, 16 defensive), but didn't record a block for the team. Florida Atlantic finished 81.8% from the free throw line by knocking down 18 of 22 tries. They made 9 out of their 23 attempts from beyond the perimeter. In relation to fouls, the Fighting Illini ended up walking away with 18 and Florida Atlantic accumulated 16 fouls.

Marcus Domask is someone who was a major factor in the matchup. He totaled 33 points on 15 of 21 shooting. He was on the hardwood for 37 minutes and also pulled down 6 rebounds. He ended up shooting 71.4% from the field and also recorded 3 assists.

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Illinois will enter this contest with a record of 7-1 for the season. They currently have an average of 80.1 points per contest (81st in college basketball) while shooting 48.4% from the floor. The Fighting Illini are shooting 33.7% on 3-point shots (66 of 196) and 62.5% from the free throw line. As a unit, Illinois is snagging 46.4 boards per contest and is sitting with 101 assists so far this year, which has them ranked 268th in college basketball in terms of passing. They are turning it over 13.3 times per game and as a unit they commit 13.8 personal fouls every game.

When they are on defense, the Fighting Illini are forcing 9.9 turnovers per contest and they draw 16.9 fouls. They are giving up 29.6% on shots from beyond the perimeter and they are ranked 24th in D-1 in PPG from their opponents (62.4). The Fighting Illini defense is allowing a FG percentage of 35.7% (187 of 524) and they relinquish 33.9 rebounds per contest as a unit. They are currently ranked 7th in college hoops in giving up assists to their opponents with 70 conceded on the campaign.

When they last stepped on the court, the Tennessee Volunteers went home victorious with a score of 87-66 when they played George Mason. The Volunteers were able to pull down 29 defensive boards and 11 offensive rebounds for a total of 40 in the matchup. They turned the ball over 9 times, while earning 8 steals for this contest. George Mason committed 15 fouls for the game which took the Volunteers to the charity stripe for a total of 22 attempts. They were able to make 14 of the free throws for a rate of 63.6%. With regard to shooting from distance, Tennessee made 9 of 26 tries (34.6%). When the game finished, the Volunteers went 32 for 65 from the field which gave them a percentage of 49.2%. The Volunteers permitted George Mason to convert 24 of 56 tries from the floor which gave them a shooting percentage of 42.9% for the matchup. They finished 44.0% from beyond the arc by shooting 11 out of 25 and finished the game at 7 of 11 at the free throw line (63.6%). When discussing rebounds, Tennessee allowed George Mason to collect 25 in total (4 offensive).

Jonas Aidoo ended up having an impact for the Volunteers in this matchup. He converted 7 out of 11 in this contest for a rate of 63.6%, and had 8 rebounds. He accumulated 17 points in his 27 minutes on the court and earned 4 assists in the game.

Tennessee has a mark of 5-3 for the year. When it comes to offense, the Volunteers are hitting on 43.7% from the floor, which is ranked 229th in college basketball. Tennessee has scored 621 points for the campaign (77.6 per contest) and they pull in 37.8 rebounds per game. They are getting an assist 15.4 times per contest (78th in college basketball) and they are turning it over 10.1 times per game. The Volunteers commit 18.9 fouls per contest and they hit 76.1% from the charity stripe.

The Volunteers on the defensive end are ranked 91st in college basketball in PPG given up with 66.9. They are able to force 13.5 turnovers per game and have allowed teams to shoot 39.7% from the field (56th in college hoops). The Tennessee defense gives up 31.8% on shots from beyond the arc (55 of 173) and opponents are making 63.4% of their free throw shots. They have given up 11.9 dimes and 34.8 boards on a nightly basis, which is 133rd and 174th in those defensive categories.

Who will win tonight's NCAA basketball game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Tennessee

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