Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction, 1/21/2024 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Illinois Fighting Illini

Date: Sunday, January 21, 2024

Location: State Farm Center in Champaign, IL

TV: BTN

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-7) are on their way to State Farm Center on Sunday where they will take on the Illinois Fighting Illini (13-4).

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights faced Nebraska and notched a win by a score of 87-82 in their last game. Regarding fouls, the Scarlet Knights walked away with 17 and Nebraska recorded 24 fouls. They made 13 out of their 35 attempts from 3-point land. Nebraska went 79.2% at the free throw line by burying 19 of their 24 shots. Furthermore, Nebraska had 36 rebounds (7 offensive, 29 defensive), but didn't notch a block. Nebraska totaled 13 assists and had 8 steals for this contest. When it comes to defense, Rutgers allowed 37.9% from the field on 25 out of 66 shooting. They also dished out 16 assists for the game in addition to forcing the opposition into 13 turnovers and getting 6 steals. Concerning pulling down boards, they earned a total of 46 with 20 of them being on the offensive end. At the free throw line, the Scarlet Knights converted 16 of 30 tries for a rate of 53.3%. Rutgers wrapped up the game having earned a 38.5% FG percentage (30 out of 78) and made 11 of their 29 shots from distance.

Aundre Hyatt is one guy who was a major contributor for the contest. He finished with 17 points on 5 out of 15 shooting. He played 30 mins and totaled 4 boards. He walked away from this one shooting 33.3% from the field and also recorded 2 assists.

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Rutgers comes into this matchup with a win-loss record of 10-7 on the campaign. They average 68.6 points per outing (307th in Division 1) while connecting on 39.0% from the field. The Scarlet Knights are connecting on 29.9% on shots from distance (107 of 358) and 65.4% from the charity stripe. As a unit, Rutgers is collecting 39.6 boards per game and has accounted for 207 assists for the year, which ranks 293rd in D-1 in terms of passing. They lose possession by turning the ball over 11.5 times per contest and as a team are committing 16.2 fouls per contest.

Defensively, the Scarlet Knights have forced 15.2 turnovers per game while drawing 18.6 fouls. They are currently ranked 115th in the nation in giving up assists with 207 relinquished so far this season. The Scarlet Knights defensively are giving up a field goal percentage of 39.1% (390 of 997) and they relinquish 40.1 boards per contest as a unit. They are giving up 32.9% on three-point shots while they are 42nd in college basketball in PPG allowed (65.4).

In their last game, the Illinois Fighting Illini walked away with a victory by a final of 88-73 against Michigan. In the matter of rebounds, Illinois allowed Michigan to collect 25 in total (7 offensive). They shot 23.1% from 3-point land by shooting 3 out of 13 and ended up shooting 10 out of 12 at the free throw line (83.3%). The Fighting Illini allowed Michigan to knock down 30 out of their 63 attempts from the floor which left them shooting 47.6% in this game. When the final whistle blew, the Fighting Illini finished 30 for 62 from the floor which had them shooting 48.4%. Regarding shooting from 3-point land, Illinois made 6 of their 18 attempts (33.3%). They were able to convert 22 of the free throws for a rate of 73.3%. Michigan was called for 18 fouls in the game which got the Fighting Illini to the charity stripe for 30 attempts. They turned it over 6 times, while getting 9 steals for the contest. The Fighting Illini collected 25 defensive rebounds and 13 offensive boards totaling 38 for this contest.

Coleman Hawkins ended up having an impact for the Fighting Illini in this matchup. He converted 6 out of 10 in the matchup for a field goal rate of 60.0%, and accumulated 10 rebounds. He tallied 21 points in his 36 minutes on the hardwood and had 4 assists for this contest.

Illinois has a win-loss mark of 13-4 on the year. When it comes to offensive execution, the Fighting Illini are shooting 46.7% from the floor, which is 84th in Division 1. Illinois has totaled 1,395 points for the season (82.1 per contest) and they average 42.9 rebounds per game. They are dishing out assists 13.0 times per contest (226th in college basketball) and they lose possession by turning the ball over 11.5 times per contest. The Fighting Illini have committed 14.0 personal fouls per contest and they go 73.1% from the charity stripe.

The Fighting Illini on the defensive side of the court are 92nd in college basketball in points given up per game with 67.8. They have forced 9.6 TO's every game and have allowed teams to shoot 39.5% from the field (27th in D-1). The Illinois defense concedes 31.1% on three-point shots (101 of 325) and their opposition knocks down 69.1% of their shots from the free throw line. They have given up 10.8 assists and 33.8 rebounds every game, which ranks 44th and 127th in D-1.

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

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Illinois

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