NCAA Basketball Picks & Odds: Iowa vs. Illinois Predictions

Iowa vs. Illinois Predictions

Iowa travels to Champaign, trying to bounce back after a brutal loss at home to Indiana. Iowa currently trails Michigan in the Big 10 battle by one and a half games so they will be desperate for a win tonight.

Illinois is backed by guard Ayo Dosunmu and big fella Kofi Cockburn who bring the second best offense in the Big 10, behind Iowa. Iowa is allowing 1.05 points per possession and is terrible at defending the 3 ball. Iowa literally can’t stop a nose bleed. I’m backing the home team and expect Illinois to get after it tonight in Champaign.

The Pick: Illinois -2.5 (-110)

St. Louis vs. Richmond Predictions

Mid major play of the day is the 7-2 (6-3 ATS) St. Louis Billikens on the road against the 10-4 (8-6 ATS) Richmond Spiders. SLU is coming off a tough loss against the Dayton Flyers after a month layoff for COVID. Richmond is coming off an easy win against A-10 bottom feeder St Joe’s. However, the game before that, they had a bad home loss against La Salle.

Richmond is 2-4 ATS as a home favorite this year. I believe this is a true buy-low spot for the Billikens. KenPom has them ranked 44th on offense and 45th on defense. Richmond is ranked 26th and 104th. A key stat that stands out for me is rebounding. Per KenPom, SLU ranks 26th in offense rebounding % and 18th in defense rebounding %. Richmond is 223rd and 195th in these categories.

Another key stat is SLU is 12th in 3 point % and Richmond is 157th at defending the 3. I believe the SLU Billikens are going to shake off the rust from the COVID layoff, pound the boards, and hit some timely 3s to pull off the mini road upset. Roll Bills!

The Pick: SLU +1.5 (-110)

NCAAB Expert Picks

Illinois -2.5 @ -110 (Click to bet)

SLU +1.5 @ -110 (Click to bet)