Can Michigan Pull Off Another Win As a Home Underdog?
Illinois vs Michigan Betting Odds Has Illinois As Rare Home Favorite
Illinois Struggling to Keep It Going Without Top Scorer
Michigan might be the only team in the Big Ten with a losing record, but when playing the Wolverines in Ann Arbor, it is wise to tread carefully as Ohio State recently found out. The Illinois vs Michigan betting odds have Illinois listed as a three-point favorite. It is the first time since 2011 that Illinois is favored on the road against Michigan.
Since the start of January, Michigan’s home games were a two-point loss against Minnesota when the Wolverines led with less than seven minutes left and a win over Ohio State.
The college basketball betting lines has Illinois with -245 odds to win outright compared to +125 odds for the host Wolverines.
The Wolverines also threw a scare into visiting Indiana. The Wolverines split their first two games this season when listed as the underdog at home.
Illinois has won six games in a row against Michigan including three road victories. The Wolverines did cover in the most recent matchup, falling 91-87 as a five-point underdog.
Illinois is 3-2 since its leading scorer Terrence Shannon Jr. was suspended after he was charged with rape. Freshman guard Niccolo Moretti hasn’t played since Nov. 19 while forward Amari Hansberry is questionable.
For Michigan, senior guard Jaelin Llewellyn recently returned after missing two games. Forward Tray Jackson is questionable.
The Fighting Illini dropped four spots to No. 14 in both the Associated Press and USA Today coaches polls.
Illinois is tied for 15th at +4000 in the odds to win March Madness.
Illinois vs Michigan 
Records: Illinois Fighting Illini 12-4 (3-2 in the Big Ten) at Michigan Wolverines 7-10 (2-4 in the Big Ten)
Day/Time:
Location: Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, MI
TV & Live Stream: FS1
Illinois Looks To Figure Things Out
It looked like business as usual as Illinois rolled to a 30-point win over Northwestern in its first game in 2024 and was toe-to-toe with top-ranked Purdue even without Shannon. There were signs of trouble in a narrow home win against Michigan State before Illinois was held under 70 points for the third time this season in a loss to Maryland.
While Marcus Domask and Luke Goode combined for 39 points, the other three starters had 20 points on 6-of-24 shooting. With very little bench scoring, that is not going to get it done. Keep that in mind when it comes to the Illinois vs Michigan betting odds.
Illinois is 10-1-1 against the spread in its last 12 games.
Wolverines Cooking At Home
The numbers don’t lie.
Michigan’s No. 2 scorer Olivier Nkamhoua averages 19.1 points at home compared to 13.3 on the road.
He is not alone.
In Michigan’s last four home games, the Wolverines are shooting 41.3% on 3-pointers and have 12 more assists than turnovers.
During the last two road games, there have been three more turnovers than assists, and Michigan Wolverines missed twice as many 3-pointers as they made during that stretch. That could factor into the Illinois vs Michigan betting odds.
Michigan has covered in just one of its last seven games.
Last Meeting
Ty Rodgers came off the bench to score 14 points as Illinois won a double-overtime thriller against visiting Michigan State.
Although four of the last five games between the Wolverines and Fighting Illini finished under the total, the NCAAB game went over the 144.5-point total a minute into the first of the two overtime sessions.
It was the third straight win at Michigan for Illinois versus Michigan. The last time Michigan won at home against Illinois was in 2018.
Illinois vs Michigan Betting Preview
Illinois is 5-1 against the college basketball spread in the last six meetings with Michigan. However, the Fighting Illini lost seven of the last eight road games.
Illinois is 10-2 this season when listed as a favorite. the Fighting Illini have covered in just three of the last six games as a road favorite. Michigan is 1-0-1 against the spread as a home underdog during that stretch.
Illinois has covered in just four of the last 18 road games versus Michigan.
The total has gone under in four of Michigan’s last five games with the total currently at 153.5 for this matchup.
Illinois has covered in each of its three true road games while Michigan is 3-5 against the spread at home.
Six of Michigan’s eight home games landed over the total.
When looking at college basketball stats, Michigan has one of the lowest adjusted possessions per 40 minutes among Big Ten teams according to the Pomeroy college basketball database. However, the Wolverines still rank outside the top 100 in defensive efficiency.
Illinois has a chance to bounce back after a disappointing effort the last time the Fighting Illini played on the road and is a solid bet to come away with their second road win of the season.
For NCAAB betting news, NCAA basketball odds, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
