Wisconsin Badgers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini odds, picks and predictions

The No. 23 Wisconsin Badgers (23-9) and No. 9 Illinois Fighting Illini (24-7) meet Friday in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals. Tip from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, is set for 2:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Wisconsin vs. Illinois odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.

The Badgers beat the Washington Huskies in the third round of the tournament 85-82 Thursday, but failed to cover as a 6.5-point neutral-court favorite as the Over (156.5) cashed. Wisconsin won its last 3 games of the regular season, beating the No. 18 Purdue Boilermakers 97-93 on the road to close it out. The Badgers are 3-1 against the spread (ATS) across their last 4 games and 18-13 ATS this season.

Illinois ended the regular season by taking down the Maryland Terrapins 78-72 Sunday, failing to cover as a 15.5-point road favorite with the Over (145.5) hitting. The Fighting Illini have had abnormal struggles over the last several weeks, going 4-4 over their previous 8 games and just 3-5 ATS in that span. The No. 4 seed in the tournament is 17-14 ATS on the season.

Wisconsin besat Illinois 92-90 in overtime Feb. 10 in Champaign.

– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

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Wisconsin vs. Illinois odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 9:33 p.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Wisconsin +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Illinois -325 (bet $325 to win $100)
• Against the spread (ATS): Wisconsin +8.5 (-118) | Illinois -8.5 (-102)
• Over/Under (O/U): 155.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Wisconsin vs. Illinois picks and predictions

Prediction

Illinois 83, Wisconsin 77

PASS.

Avoid this play. Illinois (-325) should win, but it isn’t worth nearly more than 3 times your money here. Pass on this wager.

BET WISCONSIN +8.5 (-118).

The Badgers have been surging, especially on the offensive end. They have scored at least 78 points in 4 straight games. Wisconsin has been solid as an underdog as well, going 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games in that position.

As noted, the Fighting Illini have had recent struggles, and it is because their offense has stalled. They’ve failed to top 80 points in 3 straight games and are just 1-2 ATS in their last 3 games when favored.

BET OVER 154.5 (-110).

The Fighting Illini are a proven side and should be rested and ready to score. They are 3-2 O/U in their previous 5 games, allowing at least 84 points in 2 of their previous 4 contests.

Wisconsin has gone Over in 5 of its previous 6 games and has allowed at least 80 points in half of those. The Badgers are 19-12 O/U so far this season.

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