Illinois vs Missouri Prediction 12/22/2024

Illinois vs Missouri Preview

Illinois (7-3) heads to Gateway City to face Missouri (10-1) in an old and familiar rivalry on Sunday afternoon. In their last 5 games, the Fighting Illini have gone 3-2, smashing Little Rock by 58 (92-34), beating Arkansas by 13 (90-77), losing to rivals Northwestern by 4 in OT (70-66), beating Wisconsin by 6 (86-80), and then losing to No. 2 Tennessee by 2 in its last game (66-64). In their last 5, the Tigers have gone a perfect 5-0, topping Lindenwood by 20 (81-61), beating Cal by 5 (98-93), upsetting Kansas by 9 (76-67), trampling Long Island by 27 (88-61), and then defeating Jacksonville State by 11 in their last game (83-72). Illinois is currently priced at 50/1 odds (DraftKings) to win the 2025 NCAA Basketball Tournament with Missouri big longshots at 130/1.

Illinois Faces 5th Tough Opponent in Last 5 Games

Illinois (5-4-1 ATS, 4-6-0 O/U) hasn’t even gotten into the thick of the Big Ten Conference Regular Season schedule, yet the Fighting Illini will be playing their 5th straight quality opponent when they face SEC side Missouri on Sunday in St. Louis. Illinois has played Arkansas, Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Tennessee leading into this showdown. The Fighting Illini possess a deep and talented roster with G Kasparas Jakucionis (16.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.6 apgRPGC Tomislav Ivisic (14.2 ppg, 9.7 rpg), F WillRPGley (13.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg), G KylaRPGoswell (10.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.4 apgRPGG Tre White (9.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg), F Ben RPGrichous (8.3 ppg, 3.0 RPG), G Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (5.3 ppg), and F Morez Johnson Jr. (4.6 ppg, 6.2 RPG). Heading in here, the Fighting Illini (-150 Moneyline) rank No. 41 rankshe Points Per Game (84.0 ppg) and are No. 1 in Rebounds Per Game (45.4) thanks in great part to Tomislav (7-foot-1), Jakucionis (6-foot-6), Johnson (6-foot-9), and White (6-foot-7). This team may have lost Terrance Shannon Jr. to the NBA (Minnesota Timberwolves), but they are very formidable.

Illinois Betting Trends

• Illinois is 0-2-1 ATS in its last 3 games (WIS, NW, TENN)
• The Fighting Illini are 7-3-0 SU their last in 10 games
• Illinois ranks No. 19 in Scoring Margin (+21 ppg)
• Illinois is has been orites in 8 of its last 10 games (Underdogs vs ALA, TENN)
• The Under is 4-2-0 in the Fighting Illini’s last 6 games

Mizzou Enjoying 2 Months Playing Near Home

Missouri (4-7-0 ATS, 7-4-0 O/U) has now reeled off 10 straight wins after losing to Memphis in the season opener. The Tigers have benefitted from playing an early Show Me State-heavy schedule in November and December and won’t play a true Road game until they face No. 2 Auburn in their SEC opener on January 4 (SECN, 4 EST). Missouri (+126 Moneyline) is led by G Caleb Grill (13.6 ppg), G Mark Mitchell (13.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg), G TamaRPGates (12.3 ppg), G Anthony Robinson II (11.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.2 apgRPGG Marques Warrick (8.8 ppg), G Tony Perkins (7.8 ppg), and G Trent Pierce (8.8 ppg). The Tigers rank No. 1 in the nation in Bench Points (44.6 ppg), are No. 5 in Points Per Game (88.7), are tied for No.193 in Assists Per game (14.2), and are tied for No. 284 in Rebounds Per Game (34.9).

Missouri Betting Trends

• Missouri is 10-0 SU in its last 10 overall
• The Tigers have been Favorites in 9 of their last 10 games
• The Over is 4-2-0 in Mizzou’s last 6 games
• The Tigers are 1-4 ATS in their last 6 games overall 
• Missouri has a +22 Scoring Margin (#9)
• The Tigers are 3-2 in the last 5 series meetings

Illinois vs Missouri Prediction

The Illinois are 6-4 AU/ATS in the last 10 series meetings, as is the Over. But Missouri is 4-2 SU/ATS in the last 6 meetings and has played better vs Illinois. This Illinois vs Missouri NCAAB pick will back the Tigers for 6 main reasons: 1—Mizzou has played better the last 2 years in this series; 2—The game is in St. Louis and although a Neutral Site, the crowd will be a majority of Tigers fans; 3—Missouri has the best Bench in the country so far; 4—This team is on a 10-game Winning Streak; 5—The SEC mystique. When teams are in, or move to the Southeastern Conference, they simply get better from the expectations, recruiting, and strength of schedule (in all sports); and 6—The +3.5 Points. If the Tigers could topple Kansas, then beating Illinois should also be doable. Ken Pomeroy has Illinois ranked at No. 17 and Missouri way back at No. 49. Why? The Fighting Illini have played more quality opponents and the Tigers haven’t strayed far from home yet.

Kevin’s Pick: Missouri +3.5