Illinois vs Michigan Wolverines Prediction & Picks - NCAA Men
USA - NCAA Men
New customers only | Commercial content | 21+ age limit | T&Cs apply
by Lou Aguila | in Basketball Picks
Michigan and Illinois are locked in what many expect to be a highly physical, crucial Big 10 contest at State Farm Center in Illinois on Friday.
Hot Pick: Total Under 156.5 points
Potential Payout: $205 on a $105 Bet (-105 on DraftKings)
Michigan occupies the No.3 spot in the NCAA Men’s Basketball ranking after compiling a 26-2 record entering March Madness. The Wolverines have gone 4-1 in their last five games with their lone loss coming at the hands of the Duke Blue Devils in a close contest, 63-68.
Illinois has lost three of its last five games, including an overtime loss to the UCLA Bruins 94-95. At 13-4 in the Big 10 (22-6 overall), the Fighting Illini are only three games behind Michigan in the Big 10 regular-season championship race. Keaton Wagler has become Illinois’ top scorer in his freshman year, averaging 18.2 points on 45.6 percent field goal shooting with 5.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
Limited Offer. Currently at DraftKings
Illinois vs Michigan Wolverines Form
Table
| Teams | % | P | W | L | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4
|
0.935 | 31 | 29 | 2 | 4 |
|
29
|
0.774 | 31 | 24 | 7 | 2 |
Illinois and Michigan Wolverines Latest Matches
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
Mar 23, 2025 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 21, 2025 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 30, 2024 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 28, 2024 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 23, 2024 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 21, 2024 - NCAA Basketball
3/3 (100%)
0/3 (0%)
Mar 21, 2025 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 23, 2024 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 21, 2024 - NCAA Basketball
1/3 (33%)
2/3 (67%)
Mar 23, 2025 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 30, 2024 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 28, 2024 - NCAA Basketball
2/2 (100%)
0/2 (0%)
Mar 22, 2025 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 20, 2025 - NCAA Basketball
1/1 (100%)
0/1 (0%)
Mar 20, 2025 - NCAA Basketball
1/1 (100%)
0/1 (0%)
Mar 22, 2025 - NCAA Basketball
Illinois - Michigan Wolverines Key Points
- The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Michigan's last 13 games.
- Illinois is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Michigan.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Michigan's last 6 games played in February.
- Michigan is 0-9 SU in its last 9 games against Illinois.
Limited Offer. Currently at DraftKings
Our Illinois vs Michigan Wolverines Prediction
Fearless Forecast: Michigan edges Illinois 73-72
Illinois has matched up well with Michigan in the past few years, holding an 8-1 ATS record against the Wolverines in their last 9 games and a 5-1 record in their last 6 games at home. Illinois’ numbers on both ends are up there with the elites. They are averaging 85.1 points per game and 69.0 points allowed per game this season.
The Pick: With the point spread set at -1.5 points, this is basically a pick’Em match for bettors. Although Michigan is the No.1 team in the Big 10, Illinois’ history of head-to-head success against the Wolverines makes it hard for any sports tipster to call the outcome of this match. The best move here is to pick the total UNDER 156.5 points in anticipation of a brutally competitive, low-scoring March Madness showdown between these two teams. These are two really good scoring teams, but the high-stakes nature of this matchup will force them to play relentless defense against each other, keeping the pace slower than usual.
Our betting prediction for the Michigan Wolverines vs. Illinois Fighting Illini: Total Under 156.5 pointsAll tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
