SIU Edwardsville Cougars vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction, 11/8/2024 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: SIU Edwardsville Cougars vs Illinois Fighting Illini

Date: Friday, November 8, 2024

Location: State Farm Center in Champaign, IL

TV: Peacock

State Farm Center is the site where the Illinois Fighting Illini (1-0) will play the SIU Edwardsville Cougars (1-1) on Friday.

The SIU Edwardsville Cougars played Indiana and ended up losing by a score of 80-61 in their last contest. SIU Edwardsville ended the contest having earned a 35.2% FG percentage (25 out of 71) and knocked down 5 of their 26 shots from distance. From the free throw line, the Cougars converted 6 of 13 shots for a percentage of 46.2%. In regard to pulling down rebounds, they collected 31 with 14 of them being on the offensive end. They also dished out 11 assists for the matchup as well as forcing the other team into 16 turnovers and having 9 steals. With respect to defense, SIU Edwardsville allowed the other team to go 52.6% from the floor on 30 out of 57 shooting. Indiana doled out 18 dimes and had 7 steals for this contest. Additionally, Indiana totaled 41 boards (8 offensive, 33 defensive), but wrapped up the game with no rejections. Indiana went 82.4% when shooting free throws by knocking down 14 of their 17 tries. They made 6 of their 16 attempts from 3-point range. Regarding fouls, the Cougars finished with 17 and Indiana had 15 fouls.

Ray'Sean Taylor is one guy who was a factor in this matchup. He was able to score 17 points on 7 of 22 shooting. He played for 35 minutes played and collected 2 rebounds. He finished shooting 31.8% from the field and totaled 2 assists.

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SIU Edwardsville heads into this one with a record of 1-1 on the year. They lose possession by turning the ball over 11.0 times per contest and as a unit they commit 14.5 fouls per contest. As a unit, SIU Edwardsville is pulling down 41.5 rebounds per contest and has accounted for 33 assists for the year, which ranks 9th in college basketball in terms of passing the rock. The Cougars are shooting 22.9% on 3-point shots (11 of 48) and 54.8% from the free throw line. They currently have an average of 78.0 pts per contest (198th in Division 1) while connecting on 41.8% from the field.

When they are on the defensive end, the Cougars are forcing their opponents into 24.0 turnovers per game and they draw 17.0 fouls. They currently rank 348th in the country in giving up assists with 31 surrendered on the campaign. The Cougars defense is giving up a field goal percentage of 42.1% (45 of 107) and they surrender 37.5 rebounds per contest as a unit. They relinquish 42.9% on shots from beyond the arc and they are ranked 122nd in college hoops in PPG allowed (61.0).

When they last stepped on the hardwood, the Illinois Fighting Illini walked away with a victory by a final of 112-67 when they faced Eastern Illinois. In reference to how they attacked the glass, Illinois permitted Eastern Illinois to get 24 in all (3 on the offensive glass). They finished shooting 33.3% from 3-point land by shooting 4 out of 12 and finished the contest at 11 out of 25 at the charity stripe (44.0%). The Fighting Illini permitted Eastern Illinois to convert 26 out of 68 tries from the field which gave them a percentage of 38.2% in the game. At the conclusion of this game, the Fighting Illini went 31 out of 64 from the floor which gave them a percentage of 48.4%. In reference to shooting from beyond the arc, Illinois converted 16 out of 42 attempts (38.1%). They were able to make 34 of the free throw attempts for a rate of 73.9%. Eastern Illinois had 29 fouls in this matchup which got the Fighting Illini to the charity stripe for a total of 46 attempts. They gave up possession of the ball 13 times, while getting 2 steals in the game. The Fighting Illini corralled 42 defensive boards and 14 offensive rebounds totaling 56 in the matchup.

Will Riley ended up being a factor for the Fighting Illini in this matchup. He knocked down 10 of 13 for the matchup giving him a field goal percentage of 76.9%, and accumulated 7 rebounds. He totaled 31 points in his 25 minutes on the hardwood and had 3 assists in this matchup.

Illinois has a record of 1-0 on the season. When it comes to executing on offense, the Fighting Illini are hitting on 48.4% from the field, which ranks 147th in the nation. Illinois has tallied 112 points for the campaign (112.0 per contest) and they grab 58.0 rebounds per contest. They are assisting teammates 16.0 times per contest (136th in the country) and they cough up possession 13.0 times per contest. The Fighting Illini have committed 21.0 fouls per game and they shoot 73.9% from the free throw line.

The Illinois defense allows 33.3% from downtown (4 of 12) and their opposition knocks down 44.0% of their foul shots. They have conceded 5.0 assists and 28.0 total boards per game, which ranks them 24th and 72nd in the country. The Fighting Illini on defense are ranked 177th in college hoops in points allowed per contest with 67.0. They are able to force 8.0 turnovers per game and allow teams to shoot 38.2% from the floor (148th in the nation).

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

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take SIU Edwardsville

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