The Wisconsin Badgers take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in Champaign, IL. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Illinois is favored by 6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -290. The total is set at 154 points.
Here are my Wisconsin vs. Illinois predictions and college basketball picks for December 10, 2024.
Wisconsin vs Illinois Prediction
My Pick: Illinois -6.5 (Play to -7.5)
My Wisconsin vs Illinois best bet is on the Illini spread, with the best odds currently available at FanDuel. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Wisconsin vs Illinois Odds, Spread
| Wisconsin Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -110 | 154 -110 / -110 | +235 |
| Illinois Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -110 | 154 -110 / -110 | -290 |
- Wisconsin vs Illinois spread: Illinois -6.5
- Wisconsin vs Illinois over/under: 154 points
- Wisconsin vs Illinois moneyline: Illinois -290, Wisconsin +235
- Wisconsin vs Illinois best bet: Illinois -6.5 (Play to -7.5)
Wisconsin vs Illinois NCAAB Betting Preview
Two teams searching for a bounce-back win face off in Champaign on Tuesday as the Wisconsin Badgers meet the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Wisconsin had a humbling week last week, losing back-to-back games to Michigan and Marquette after starting the season an impressive 8-0 and working its way up to No. 11 in the AP Poll.
That always seemed a pipe dream, as Wisconsin was never ranked higher than 29th nationally on KenPom this season.
On the flip side, Illinois was ranked as high as 13th on KenPom prior to last Friday night, when the Illini lost in overtime to Northwestern. Despite a superstar performance from their point guard Kasparas Jakucionis, the Illini shot just 26% from 3 and fell short.
There will be a contrast of styles and personnel, as these two programs could not be more different in a handful of ways.
For starters, Wisconsin is very old. The Badgers rank 33rd in average experience and start multiple fifth-year seniors. Illinois’ best three players are all playing their first season of college basketball, as Brad Underwood opted for overseas studs like Jakucionis and big man Tomislav Ivisic.
Pace will also be a contrast. Illinois loves to run (39th nationally in Adjusted Tempo) and Wisconsin is comfortable slowing it down as usual (194th, which is much faster than a typical Badgers team).
One oddity to note: Wisconsin is an elite free throw shooting team, making 86% of its shots from the charity stripe this season, the best mark in college basketball.
Illinois has been the No. 1 most fortunate “free throw defense” this season, meaning teams are shooting worse from the charity stripe against the Illini than any other squad in the country (58%).
Wisconsin’s star John Tonje is a name to keep an eye on. After a torrid start to the season, Tonje struggled last week in the Badgers' losses. He shot a combined 8-of-23 from the floor with eight turnovers and just one assist.
Illinois has multiple options to throw at Tonje. Kylan Boswell has been an elite perimeter defender and has the size to bang with Tonje on his bully ball drives.
Illinois has been great at protecting the rim, as it has great positional size at all spots. Tonje barreling toward the rim isn’t likely to yield success here.
Given the contrasting styles, this game will come down to who can execute their game plan better. Historically, Underwood has been phenomenal at home in a bounce-back spot.
Underwood’s Illinois teams have gone 26-2 outright at home following a loss since 2020, and 21 of those 26 wins have come by seven or more points.
Back Illinois to cover up to -7.5.
