Wisconsin Badgers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 12/10/24 – Scheduled for Tuesday, the game between the Wisconsin Badgers (8-2) and the Illinois Fighting Illini (6-2) is bound to be a thrilling NCAA Men’s Basketball encounter. Tip-off is set for 9:00 PM ET and can be viewed live on PEAC. Badgers vs. Fighting Illini is taking place at The State Farm Center, Wisconsin; a battleground favorite for its history of fierce competitiveness. Expect an exciting night of basketball, full of dunks and three-pointers as both teams look to claim victory.
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 12/10/24
| When: | Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 9:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | State Farm Center |
| TV: | PEAC |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badgers | +6 (-110) | Over 154.5 (-115) | +200 |  |
| Fighting Illini | -6 (-110) | Under 154.5 (-105) | -250 | |
| ||||
Wheels up for Champaign ✈️ pic.twitter.com/NNEExdiNEt
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) December 9, 2024
There are some interesting aspects that can be exploited through this Illinois versus Wisconsin game. First and foremost, the Wisconsin Badgers are given points due to their previous encounters with the Illini where they lost both straight up and against the spread. That said, with the total set at 154.5 points, there is an assumption that the match is still going to be high scoring which, for the Wisconsin team’s total points lines in recent games, seems to be their new normal.
John Tonje (Guard) vs. Tomislav Ivisic (Center)
Wisconsin star guard, John Tonje is enjoying his best season yet, as he is currently averaging 21.5 points per game alongside shooting from the three-point range at 41.7 percent. His tendency to get fouled and subsequently knock down free throws at a 93.1 percent rate, makes him’s extremely valuable for the Badgers. On the downside, he also averages 2.6 turnovers a game which may be a weakness against an aggressive defensive Illini.
In contrast to this, at the Illinois center, Tomislav Ivisic has had a far better game. Ivisic has been averaging 16.1 points along with 9.3 rebounds in a game making him one of the crucial elements for Illinois. Scoring 55.2 in field goal attempts along with being shot-blocking gives more defensive troubles that the Badgers must find a way to work around.
The moment Tonje and Ivisic meet on the courts, the match could tip in favor of Washington depending on how well or poorly Tonje shoots and how Ivisic responds by disputing the bucket. Both these players have a vital role in their respective teams’ archer tactics, and their clashes are likely to be highly dependent on the given assists.
A Look at the Wisconsin Badgers’ Key Stats
The Wisconsin Badgers have displayed a strong offensive punch as they have been able to score an average of 82 points per game on 45.4% field shots. Shooting a three-pointer is average at best for the Badgers but a 35% average is possible which would come in handy especially since Illinois has an average three-point defense. But Wisconsin needs to work on their turnover averages which sit at 10 turnovers a game as Illinois would be more than willing to take advantage of the turnovers for extra possessions.
Illinois Fighting Illini’s Statistical Breakdown
The Illinois Fighting Illini is best known for its high scoring average of 86.3 points and possesses a line of solid defense and rebounding. Their rebounding abilities allow them to average 47.4 rebounds per game which easily eclipses Wisconsin’s mere 35.9. This is particularly important for controlling the pace of the game and limiting the amount of second-chance attempts Wisconsin would have against them. However, those strengths can only take them so far as evidenced by Illinois’s fall to Northwestern Wildcats, a reminder as to why adjustments need to be made consistently.
Trends
Wisconsin Badgers Betting Trends
Wisconsin are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games.
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Wisconsin’s last 20 games.
Wisconsin are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games.
Wisconsin are 0-9 ATS in their last 9 games against Illinois.
Wisconsin are 0-8 SU in their last 8 games against Illinois.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends
Illinois are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Illinois’ last 7 games.
Illinois are 13-3 SU in their last 16 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Illinois’ last 6 games against Wisconsin.
Illinois are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home.
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction
Considering their past performance and present shape, it will be fair to go with Illinois particularly because they will be playing at home and have a satisfactory ATS performance. The total going over seems plausible, given Wisconsin’s offense and some of their recent games that were pretty high-scoring.
As for prop bets, perhaps Tonje’s points over can be considered given his scoring record, which has been consistent. In the case of Illinois, betting on them for higher rebounds can also be fruitful because they clearly dominate in that area of the game.
Score Prediction: Illinois 88, Wisconsin 79
