Arkansas vs Illinois Game Information

Arkansas vs Illinois Preview

Most will be watching football on Thanksgiving afternoon, but some Hoopsheads will be tuning into this No. 19 Arkansas (5-1) vs No. 25 Illinois (5-1) Top 25 collision in the Thanksgiving Hoops Showcase from Kansas City. Arkansas has won 4 in a row (TROY, PAC, LR, UMES) after suffering its only loss to Baylor (72-67) while the Fighting Illini have won their last 2 (LR, UMES) after losing to SEC stud Alabama (100-87). This should be a good game, but it always seems the SEC gets the best of the Big Ten Conference, as the Crimson Tide already did with Illinois earlier this month. The Razorbacks won this meeting last year, 73-63, covering the 2.5-Point Spread in a game that went Under the 143.5 Total by 7.5 points in the West Region First Round game of the 2023 NCAA Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.

Arkansas Matches Up Well WIth Fighting Illini 

Arkansas (2-3-1 ATS, 2-4-0 O/U) has a deep team, led by F Adiou Thiero (18.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg), G Boogie Fland (17.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.5 apg), F Zvonimir Ivisic (12.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg), G Johnell Davis (9.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg), G DJ Wagner (8.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg), F Billy Richmond III (6.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg), and F Karter Knox (5.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg). The Razorbacks average 81.2 ppg (Tied #108) while allowing 59.2 ppg. Against Maryland Eastern Shore, Arkansas tied a school record with a 45-Point halftime lead (60-15).

Arkansas Betting Trends

• Arkansas is 4-0 SU in its last 4 games overall, 7-3 SU in its last 10
• The Under is 4-2 in the Razorbacks last 6 games
• Arkansas is 2-5-1 ATS in its last 8 games overall 
• The Over is 21-11 in the Razorbacks last 32 games (+8.90 Units, 25% ROI) 
• Arkansas is 13-19 ATS in its last 32 games (-6.85 Units, -19% ROI)

Illinois Looking to Stay Ranked in the Top 25

Illinois (4-2-0 ATS, 2-4-0 O/U) also has a deep bench and has four guys averaging double-digits, and three more with 7.7 ppg or more. F Will Riley (17.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg), C Tomislav Ivisic (15.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg), F Ben Humichous (10.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg), and G Kasparas Jakucionis (12.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 6.3 apg) are the main guys for the Fighting Illini with G Kylan Boswell (8.0 ppg), G Tre White (8.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg), and G Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (7.7 ppg) also able to tickle the twines. Terrance Shannon Jr. (Timberwolves) may be gone to the NBA, but this team just reloads by recruiting from the extremely fertile Midwest.

Illinois Betting Trends

• Illinois is 8-2 SU in its last 10 dribbles overall, 5-1 the last 6 
• The Fighting Illini are 7-3-0 ATS it last 10 games
• The Under is 4-1 in Illinois last 5 games overall
• Illinois was eliminated by UConn in NCAA Tournament (Elite Eight)
• The winner is 9 of the last 10 Illinois games has also covered ATS

Arkansas vs Illinois Prediction

Thanksgiving has turned into a nice sports holiday, with the NFL, College Football, and College Basketball all served up on the menu, and this Power 4 conference matchup in the Thanksgiving Hoops Showcase is a nice dessert.This Arkansas vs Illinois prediction and free NCAAB pick will be a slight lean to the Razorbacks and maybe best used as a Teaser element teased up 6 points and combined with another small Underdog or 4- to 10=point Favorite. These tournaments this week have been loaded with upsets (Connecticut, Duke, Indiana, Gonzaga) and Arkansas can win this game.

Kevin’s Pick: Arkansas +2.5