No. 2 Michigan Can Secure Big Ten Title With A Win Against Illinois

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These days, it seems like No. 2 Michigan is constantly engaged in significant matchups.

Following their remarkable victories against two top-10 programs last week, the Wolverines are set to face another prominent opponent on Tuesday night.

A victory against No. 4 Illinois will secure the Big Ten Conference regular-season championship for Michigan as they play on their home turf.

Will the Wolverines secure another impressive victory? Now, let’s delve into the odds for the Illinois vs. Michigan matchup.

Illinois vs. Michigan odds at MI sportsbooks

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The game between Michigan (18-1, 13-1 Big Ten) and Illinois (18-6, 14-4) will commence at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor. Fans of basketball can watch the live broadcast of the game on ESPN.

Michigan is once again receiving support from online sportsbooks, with early lines favoring the Wolverines as an 8.5-point home favorite against the Illini.

The current listing for the over/under is 146.5 points.

Although this season marks their first meeting, it is worth noting that Illinois has emerged victorious and covered the spread in their previous two encounters. Furthermore, both teams have also managed to stay under the total points scored in their past two meetings.

Michigan moves to No. 2 in NCAA rankings

The University of Michigan basketball team had yet another fantastic week.

The Wolverines secured victories in their last three games: a 92-87 win against Ohio State, a 79-57 win over Iowa, and a 73-57 win at Indiana.

MI sports betting fans, take note: The Wolverines have not only won all three games but also covered the spread, making their season record an impressive 15-4 ATS.

Despite having a high-powered offensive team that averages 78.8 points per game, Michigan has surprisingly fallen short of the over in five out of their last six games.

After securing victories and witnessing Baylor’s first loss of the season, the Wolverines have climbed to the second spot in this week’s Top 25 polls. The only team ahead of them is unbeaten Gonzaga (24-0).

Michigan appears to be a strong contender for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Wolverines are listed at -10000 to secure a top seed on Selection Sunday. Similarly, Baylor and Gonzaga also have the same odds of achieving a No. 1 seed.

If Michigan secures a victory on Tuesday, they will be crowned the Big Ten champions. Meanwhile, Illinois is one game behind and has only two games left to play. The Wolverines are scheduled to face Michigan State twice this week.

Currently, DraftKings has U-M listed at +145 to win the Big Ten, which is a significant improvement from their +1100 odds at the beginning of the season.

Defense leading to offense for U-M

After their victory against Indiana on Saturday, Michigan has extended their winning streak to seven games, with a remarkable 6-1 record against the spread during this period.

In addition to the 92-87 classic against Ohio State, where the Wolverines were involved in a high-scoring affair, defense has played a significant role in their success. Remarkably, the Wolverines have limited their opponents to a score below 65 points in the remaining six games.

Michigan’s scoring defense has improved significantly, now ranking 55th nationally by allowing only 65.2 points per game. Their strong defensive efforts also limit opponents to a mere 38.4% shooting, placing them fourth in the nation in this category.

With the noticeable improvement in defense, the offense of Michigan has also thrived. Michigan’s field goal percentage (49.7%) and 3-point percentage (39.0%) still place them among the top 20 teams in the country.

This season, Michigan is powered by a formidable trio known as the three-headed monster. Hunter Dickinson, Isaiah Livers, and Franz Wagner have been instrumental, each contributing over 13 points and 6 rebounds per game.

Dickinson is undoubtedly a top contender for the title of Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and even a potential candidate for National Freshman of the Year. His shooting percentage stands at an impressive 62.1 percent, accompanied by an average of 1.6 blocks per game.

In addition to the aforementioned trio, Mike Smith, Eli Brooks, and Chaundee Brown contribute significantly to the team’s scoring with an average of more than 8 points per game each. The scoring depth extends to a total of six players.

Will Illinois give Michigan its second loss?

Despite the nation’s obsession with Michigan, No. 4 Illinois is determined to disrupt the celebration. The Illini were on a winning streak comparable to the Wolverines until their unexpected 81-72 defeat against Michigan State last week.

After their loss, Illinois bounced back and secured victories against Nebraska and Wisconsin. As a result, they remain a strong contender for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The Illini have successfully covered the spread in their previous two victories and currently hold a 14-9-1 record against the spread this season. Furthermore, they have achieved the same 14-9-1 record in favor of the over, successfully hitting it in their last four games.

Similar to Michigan, Illinois has emerged as one of the leading offensive teams in the country this season. The Illini hold the 17th position in scoring, averaging 81.2 points per game, and rank ninth in shooting with an impressive 50.1 percent accuracy.

Illinois is allowing an average of 69.2 points per game, with opponents shooting at a rate of 41.1%.

Illinois has predominantly relied on the dynamic duo of guard Ayo Dosunmu and center Kofi Cockburn to lead the team.

This season, Dosunmu has emerged as a strong contender for the prestigious John R. Wooden Award. With impressive averages of 21 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, Dosunmu has caught the attention of many. Although it seems unlikely that he will surpass Iowa’s Luka Garza for the honor, this potential setback may serve as motivation for Dosunmu to have a stellar performance in March.

This season, Cockburn has proven to be an outstanding center, consistently delivering exceptional performances. He maintains an impressive average of 17.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, solidifying his position as one of the top centers in the country.

Due to a facial injury sustained against the Spartans, Dosunmu has been absent from the past few games. His availability for Tuesday night’s match against Michigan is uncertain as he is currently listed as questionable.

If you’re considering betting on this NCAA basketball game, make sure to stay updated on Dosunmu’s condition. Without him, it will be challenging for Illinois to match Michigan’s offensive performance.

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