Illinois Fighting Illini (7-1) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (5-3)
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Tennessee Volunteers 12/9/23 – The Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Tennessee Volunteers in an exciting non-conference clash on Saturday. This Saturday will be electrified with this highly anticipated NCAA Men’s Basketball game, broadcasted live on CBS. Fans and bettors alike are eagerly looking for free NCAAB parlay picks as these two formidable teams clash on the court.
Illinois’ impressive record this season can be attributed to their efficient offense and disciplined play, averaging 80.1 points per game with a 48.4% field goal percentage and 8.3 average three-point field goals made at 33.7% success rate per game – impressive! However, their 62.5% free-throw shooting could pose issues going forward and 46.4 rebound per game defensively will provide opportunities for Tennessee.
Tennessee Volunteers may not boast as impressive a win-loss record as Illinois but bring an effective defense. Averaging 77.6 points per game with a 43.7% field goal percentage and free-throw shooting accuracy at 76.11% make them slightly less effective offensively; their strength lies in free throw shooting with 761 accuracy on free throw attempts. On defense, Tennessee average 37 rebounds per game with an aggressive approach that yields 7.5 steals each game; their slightly reduced turnovers per game at 10.1 could help to ensure more control during game action.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Tennessee Volunteers Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 12:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Thompson-Boling Arena |
| TV: | CBS |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Terrence Shannon Jr. (Guard) vs. Dalton Knecht (Guard)
Terrence Shannon Jr. has been electric in his first season for Illinois, making an easy transition to the Big Ten after transferring from Texas Tech. He’s scored 20+ points in five games already while shooting efficiently from all over the floor. Shannon is a dynamic scorer but his defense and playmaking ability have also stood out early on. He will be the focal point of the Volunteer defense.
Dalton Knecht has broken out in his sophomore season as one of Tennessee’s primary offensive weapons. He’s showcased improved efficiency with his outside shot while also attacking aggressively off the dribble. Knecht has eclipsed 15+ points in six of eight games so far. He has the skills and motor to keep the Vols in this game.
This matchup will be one of the keys to this game with two talented scorers going head to head. Shannon’s versatility gives Illinois an advantage but Knecht’s energy could spark Tennessee on both ends. Whichever player gets going first could dictate the outcome on Saturday afternoon.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this game are yet to be determined. However, given the current form and statistics, the game promises to be tightly contested. Bettors should keep an eye on the evolving odds for insights into how the bookmakers view the match-up.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends
Illinois has played very strong defense recently, going under 100 total points scored in 19 of their last 33 contests. They have also gone under their team total in 18 of those games, showcasing their defensive consistency. The Illini have been less reliable covering spreads and moneylines lately though, failing to beat betting lines in 13 of 25 and 18 of 33 games respectively.
Tennessee Volunteers Betting Trends
Conversely, Tennessee has been an excellent bet to cover moneylines this year, doing so in 24 of their previous 36 matchups. The under has also hit in 12 of 20 home games for the Vols. However, like Illinois, Tennessee has gone under their team total in 20 of 36 outings revealing lower-scoring affairs. Tennessee’s ability to cover spreads has been less consistent as well, happening in just 17 of the last 31 contests.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Tennessee Volunteers 12/9/23 Betting Picks
Considering both teams’ strengths and weaknesses, this game promises to be a close encounter. Illinois’ offensive firepower matched against Tennessee’s solid defense sets the stage for an intriguing battle. Bettors should look closely at the first-half performance trends and consider the impact of key players like Shannon and Knecht.
In terms of betting picks, the game could likely be a low-scoring affair, favoring the under. The first-half performance, especially the 1H Moneyline and 1H Game Total, could be critical. For prop bets, focusing on individual player performances, especially the points scored by Shannon and Knecht, might offer value. As always, keep an eye on premium handicapper reviews for additional insights.
Free Pick and Prediction: Illinois Fighting Illini 68, Tennessee Volunteers 65