Expect a high-scoring affair this coming Friday in Champaign as Luka Garza and the Iowa Hawkeyes take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in a marquee matchup of two ranked Big Ten teams. Check out our preview of this game below.
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Betting Preview for the Iowa Hawkeyes vs Illinois Fighting Illini NCAA College Basketball Game on January 29 2021
Where: State Farm Center, Champaign, IL
When: Friday, January 29, 2021, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Iowa Hawkeyes (odds) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (odds) – view all 2021 NCAAB lines
TV Broadcast: TBA
Betting on the Iowa Hawkeyes (odds)
Record: 12-3 Overall / 6-2 Conference
The Hawkeyes ran into a brick wall that was the Indiana Hoosiers during a loss on Jan. 21 in Bloomington. Prior to that, the Hawkeyes had a five-game win streak going for them. Indiana’s defense gave Iowa fits, as the Hawkeyes shot just 38.1 percent from the field, which was way worse than their 48.7 field goal percentage on the season –18th best in the nation. Iowa is also averaging 90.7 points per game, which is second overall in Division I basketball. Despite the loss to Indiana, Luka Garza still came away with 28 points on 10-of-22 shooting to go with 12 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Garza is the focal point of Iowa’s offense that ranks first overall in adjusted offensive efficiency with 124.4 points per 100 possessions.
Iowa is 3-1 against the spread in its last four games.
Betting on the Illinois Fighting Illini (odds)
Record: 10-5 Overall / 6-3 Conference
After back-to-back losses to the Maryland Terrapins and the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Fighting Illini got up and defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions on Jan. 19 at home, 79-65. Big man Kofi Cockburn threw his weight around and dominated in this game, as he had 21 points to go with 12 rebounds. Cockburn presents a tough challenge for Garza, who had a hard time containing Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis. It could be that Garza struggles again defensively against Cockburn, who is averaging 17.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per game this season. Illinois is not too shabby either offensively. The Fighting Illini is 11th in the nation with 82.9 points per game and 10th with a 39.7 3-point shooting percentage. Apart from Cockburn, the Fighting Illini will have Ayo Dosunmo looking to punish Iowa’s defense. Dosunmo is pacing the Fighting Illini with 21.7 points per game.
Illinois is 6-4 against the spread in its last 10 games overall.
Writer’s Prediction
Iowa wins, 85-82.
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