NCAA Basketball Matchup: Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Missouri Tigers
The border battle between Illinois and Missouri will take place again tonight. Illinois had dominated this series for years, but the Tigers have won the last two meetings.
9:00 PM EST
College Basketball Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
NCAA Basketball Betting Favorite: Missouri -7
Over/Under: 139.5
Both teams come into this game ranked in the top 25. Illinois is 11-1 and ranked number 24. Missouri is unbeaten and in the eighth spot in this week’s polls. Expect a hard fought game here.
Bruce Weber’s Fighting Illini have struggled to find consistency on the offensive end this year. Illinois is shooting just 44.5% from the floor. The three-point line has been a real thorn in this team’s side. The Fighting Illini try quite a few three’s, but they are knocking down just 32.5%. D.J. Richardson is the team’s leading scorer this year at 14.4 points per game. Sophomore Meyers Leonard is the most improved player on the team, and his presence inside has helped this team a ton this season. He averages 13 points and eight boards per game, and he also has 29 blocks on the year. The Fighting Illini allow just 57 points per contest. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Many people thought Missouri would be down this year after Mike Anderson left the school, but Frank Haith is doing a great job with this team. They are still pressing and making life miserable for the opponent, but they are also playing great half court defense this year. Missouri is first in the nation in field goal percentage at 52.6%. They are second in all of basketball in points per game at 87.9 points per contest. The Tigers have four players averaging at least 12.6 points per game this year. Marcus Denmon and Kim English are the team’s best shooters, but Michael Dixon is a great slasher.
Missouri is a better team than Illinois at this point because of all their options offensively. Look for the Tigers to win a third straight game in this rivalry.
Prediction: Missouri 74 Illinois 65
