Illinois vs Michigan Prediction, Pick & Odds (Sunday, Mar. 2)

• The #15 Michigan Wolverines are 2.5-point home favorites over the Illinois Fighting Illini on Sunday
• The over is 13-5 in Illinois’ last 18 games
• See the Illinois vs Michigan Prediction, Pick & Odds for tonight’s matchup

Big Ten rivals clash on Sunday as #15 Michigan (22-6, 14-3 Big Ten) hosts unranked Illinois (18-11, 10-8 Big Ten). The Wolverines enter play tied atop the conference standings, and online sportsbooks expect plenty of offense in the latest college basketball odds.

Tip-off for this matchup is set for 3:45pm ET at the Crisler Center, in Ann Arbor, MI, with CBS providing the broadcast coverage.

Illinois vs Michigan Prediction

I’m predicting a high-scoring contest on Sunday as well. Michigan should find plenty of offensive success versus the Fighting Illini, just like fellow March Madness odds contenders Duke, Wisconsin and Michigan State did over the last two weeks. Those three national title threats averaged 94.6 points per game versus Illinois, with each team shooting north of 48%.

That’s music to the ears of Wolverine twin towers Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf, who combine to average 29 points and 16 rebounds on a nightly basis. The dynamic duo are two of five Michigan players who average in double-figures. The Wolverines rank top-40 in nearly every major offensive category, and are especially dangerous inside the arc.

Michigan has the seventh highest field goal percentage on two-point attempts. The Goldin-Wolf pick and roll is lethal, and a nightmare for opposing programs to defend. Illinois does feature one 7-footer in Tomislav Ivisic, but no other rotational player stands taller than 6’9″. That’s a major problem versus Goldin and Wolf.

As for the Fighting Illini offense, expect them to be able to punch back. Illinois is 17th in offensive rating per KenPom, averaging 83.2 points per game. Like Michigan, they do most of their damage inside the three-point line, but the team is due some positive regression from downtown. The Fighting Illini take the over 30 threes per game, but average only nine makes.

Even if the threes aren’t dropping, Illinois’ prowess on the offensive glass can keep them in this game. They’re one of the best offensive-rebounding teams in the country, and second-chance opportunities can help overcome an underwhelming performance from the field.

Illinois vs Michigan Odds

The total in the Illinois vs Michigan odds is currently listed at 158.5. The Wolverines are favored by 2.5-points, and are laying -140 on the moneyline. Per the college basketball public betting trends, the Wolverines are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 games. Illinois has also struggled against the spread, failing to cover in eight of their past 12 contests.

Betting the over in Fighting Illini games has been a profitable trend lately, with that side of the total going 13-5 since just before Christmas.

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Odds as of March 1 at DraftKings. See the full list of DraftKings deposit methods.

Illinois vs Michigan Pick

• Over 158.5 (-110) at DraftKings

Another reason why I’m bullish on a high-scoring game is the pace at which these two teams play at. Illinois is 18th in the nation in adjusted tempo, while Michigan is 56th. Both schools average north of 79 points, and the Fighting Illini’s defensive struggles versus quality competition extends back further than just the last two weeks.

Illinois has faced 10 top-25 programs this season. In those games, they’ve surrendered at least 77 points in all but one contest. Eight of those outings have produced a total of at least 157 points, with the over hitting seven times. I’m confident this game will be packed with offensive fireworks, making over 158.5 my best bet.