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The Indiana Hoosiers are set to face the Illinois Fighting Illini. Check out our college basketball odds series, which includes our Indiana Illinois prediction, odds, and pick.
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The Indiana Hoosiers appeared to be dead. Big Ten Tournament odds analysts didn't have to tell you that — not when IU trailed Michigan 60-43 midway through the second half of Thursday's second-round game in Indianapolis. The Hoosiers were completely outplayed and outworked by the Wolverines. Michigan was getting whatever it wanted at the offensive end of the floor. Indiana's defense was toothless. The college basketball odds indicated that Indiana would fall short of the NCAA Tournament. A loss to Michigan would have been a death blow to the Hoosiers' March Madness prospects.
Then, just like that, everything changed. Indiana forced a few turnovers and put together a quick 7-0 run to pull within 10 points at 60-50. The pro-Indiana crowd got back into the game, pumping energy into the Hoosiers, who flew around the court on defense and grabbed almost every loose ball. Michigan continued to miss shots and throw the ball away. Indiana continued to close the gap. When contemplating an Indiana Illinois prediction, remember that Indiana put together a 28-4 run before it was all said and done. The Hoosiers didn't allow a Michigan field goal for an 11-minute span and delivered a five-point win after being down by 17.
If you are convinced about your Indiana Illinois pick, it's plain that Indiana is riding momentum into this game, which — if IU wins — will put the Hoosiers into the NCAA Tournament. They're a bubble team now, but they will punch their ticket with one more victory, this time over the top seed at the Big Ten Tournament.
Illinois got the top seed in the Big Ten Tournament because Wisconsin lost to Nebraska on the final day of the regular season. Illinois had to beat Iowa, and the Illini fought back from a 15-point deficit to beat the Hawkeyes. The Illini won the Big Ten Tournament last year and will try to defend their title. Coach Brad Underwood has done a spectacular job assembling role players around star big man Kofi Cockburn. Andre Curbelo is the player the Illini need to be on top of his game in March.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Indiana-Illinois odds:
Big Ten Tournament Odds: Indiana-Illinois Odds
Indiana: +5 (-110)
Illinois: -5 (-110)
Over: 136 (-110)
Under: 136 (-110)
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Why Indiana Could Cover the Spread
The Hoosiers have to be soaring with confidence and good vibes after the comeback against Michigan. They should play with the energy which was missing for the first 25 minutes against the Wolverines on Thursday. Indiana has everything to play for and will be tough to handle on defense.
Why Illinois Could Cover the Spread
The Illini are rested as they take advantage of a double-bye at the Big Ten Tournament. They want to win back-to-back Big Ten Tournament titles and have a much better team than Indiana. They hammered the Hoosiers on the road earlier this season.
Final Indiana-Illinois Prediction & Pick
Indiana has the energy, but Illinois has the much better players. The Illini want to prove their Big Ten co-championship with Wisconsin was no fluke. They will prevail.
Final Indiana-Illinois Pick: Illinois -5
