The Illinois Fighting Illini (9-4, 0-2 Big 10) will try to overcome one of the NCAA’s top scoring defenses when they play host to the No. 14 Wisconsin Badgers (11-2, 3-0 Big 10) on Saturday. Wisconsin narrowly defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers 63-60 at Kohl Center on Tuesday, their sixth straight win.
With 17 points, Steven Crowl was the top scorer. Chucky Hepburn chipped in with 16 points and five steals. The Badgers remain first in the Big Ten Conference. Illinois won in dominating fashion on December 29 at State Farm Center, beating the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats 85-52.
Dain Dainja had 22 points and four blocks, carrying the team. This marks the only meeting of the season between the teams. Illinois took the only game between the teams last season 80-67 at State Farm Center in February 2022, their fourth straight head-to-head victory. Kofi Cockburn led the Fighting Illini with 37 points and 12 rebounds.
Johnny Davis had 22 points and 15 rebounds in defeat.The Badgers have been led this season by Tyler Wahl (13.2 ppg), Hepburn (12.2), and Crowl (11.9). Crowl also is contributing 6.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
Terrence Shannon Jr.’s 17.8 points per game have powered the Fighting Illini on offense. Coleman Hawkins is collecting 6.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. The Badgers are holding opponents to 61.2 points per game, ranking as one of the top scoring defenses in the nation (29th).
In the last 10 games, Wisconsin is 8-2 with an average margin of +4.8 (68.9-64.1). Illinois has gone 6-4 over the last 10, scoring 73.9 points per game on average while holding opponents to 65.8 (+8.1 margin).
BADGERS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Carter Gilmore: 8.8 | 6.5 | +2.3
Points per game:
Steven Crowl: 16.2 | 11.9 | +4.3
FIGHTING ILLINI HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Matthew Mayer: 20.6 | 15.0 | +5.6
RJ Melendez: 6.8 | 10.9 | -4.1
Points per game:
Matthew Mayer: 15.8 | 9.5 | +6.3
Rebounds per game:
Terrence Shannon Jr.: 3.8 | 5.4 | -1.6
Assists per game:
Terrence Shannon Jr.: 2.0 | 2.9 | -0.9
SportsTips’ College Basketball Pick:
Illinois -7.5 (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
