Illinois vs. Michigan Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 2, 2023

March 2, 2023, by Andy Molitor College Basketball Predictions

The Illinois Fighting Illini (19-10, 10-8 Big Ten) are favored (by 5 points) to build on a five-game home win streak when they host the Michigan Wolverines (17-12, 11-7 Big Ten) on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET. The matchup has an over/under of 144.

Illinois vs. Michigan Odds

Illinois odds to win: -215
Michigan odds to win: +178
Spread: Illinois (-5)
Total: 144

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Game Time and Information

Date: Thursday, March 2, 2023
Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN
Where: Champaign, Illinois
Venue: State Farm Center

Who Will Win Illinois vs. Michigan?

Illinois and Michigan Betting Trends, Records Against the Spread

In games this season it was favored by 5 points or more, Illinois has a 10-7 record against the spread.

Michigan has a 3-1-1 record against the spread this year when an underdog by 5 points or more.

These two teams average 147.6 points per game combined, 3.6 more than the over/under of 144.

Illinois and Michigan have seen their opponents average a combined 9.7 fewer points per game than the point total of 144 set in this outing.

The average point total for Illinois’ games this season is 4.3 fewer points than the over/under of 144 in this matchup.

The average over/under for Wolverines games this year is 1.9 fewer points than the point total of 144 for this outing.

The Fighting Illini have a 17-12-0 record against the spread this season.

The Wolverines have gone 15-13-1 ATS this year.

Illinois Stats & Insights

Illinois averages 74.2 points per game (120th in college basketball) while allowing 65.6 per outing (59th in college basketball). It has a +250 scoring differential overall and outscores opponents by 8.6 points per game.

Illinois is 22nd in the nation at 35.7 rebounds per game. That’s 6.0 more than the 29.7 its opponents average.

The Fighting Illini hit 7.8 three-pointers per game (136th in college basketball) at a 31% rate (333rd in college basketball), compared to the 5.9 per game their opponents make at a 33.2% rate.

Illinois records 94.6 points per 100 possessions (162nd in college basketball), while giving up 83.6 points per 100 possessions (18th in college basketball).

The Fighting Illini are putting up 76.6 points per game this season in home games, which is 6.7 more points than they’re averaging away from home (69.9).

Michigan Stats & Insights

Michigan outscores opponents by 4.7 points per game (posting 73.4 points per game, 137th in college basketball, and conceding 68.7 per outing, 137th in college basketball) and has a +136 scoring differential.

The 33.6 rebounds per game Michigan accumulates rank 76th in the country, 1.4 more than the 32.2 its opponents pull down.

Michigan knocks down 7.7 three-pointers per game (147th in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 6.7. It shoots 34.5% from deep, and its opponents shoot 32.1%.

Michigan ranks 114th in college basketball averaging 96.3 points per 100 possessions on offense, and defensively is 143rd, allowing 90.2 points per 100 possessions.

In 2022-23 the Wolverines are scoring 9.4 more points per game at home (75.8) than on the road (66.4).

Illinois Key Players to Watch

Coleman Hawkins leads the Fighting Illini in rebounds and assists. Hawkins averages 9.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.

Illinois’ leading scorer is Terrence Shannon Jr., who tallies 17.1 points a game in addition to his 4.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

Matthew Mayer makes more threes per game than any other member of the Fighting Illini, knocking down shots from beyond the arc at a clip of 2.1 per contest.

The Illinois steals leader is Shannon, who averages 1.3 takeaways per game, while its blocks leader is Mayer, who compiles 1.3 rejections per contest.

Michigan Key Players to Watch

Hunter Dickinson collects 17.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game for the Wolverines, making him the leading scorer and rebounder on the team.

Dug McDaniel’s assist statline leads Michigan; he racks up 3.4 assists per game.

Jett Howard hits 2.7 three-pointers per game, the most on the Wolverines.

Michigan’s leader in steals is Kobe Bufkin (1.3 per game), and its leader in blocks is Dickinson (1.6 per game).