Date: Thursday, November 28, 2024
Venue: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
Broadcast: CBS
The Illinois Fighting Illini (5-1) are set to face off against the Arkansas Razorbacks (5-1) at T-Mobile Center this Thursday.
In their previous game, the Arkansas Razorbacks dominated Maryland Eastern Shore with a decisive 109-35 victory. The Razorbacks recorded 10 personal fouls compared to 9 by Maryland Eastern Shore. From beyond the arc, the Razorbacks converted 4 of 26 attempts, while Maryland Eastern Shore struggled at the free-throw line, hitting only 3 of their 8 attempts for a 37.5% success rate. Maryland Eastern Shore gathered 27 rebounds (6 offensive, 21 defensive) and did not manage a single blocked shot. They tallied 3 assists and 4 steals during the game. On defense, Arkansas allowed a mere 23.0% shooting from the field, with their opponents landing 14 of 61 shots. The Razorbacks also distributed 23 assists while forcing 17 turnovers, including 9 steals, and collected a total of 46 rebounds (8 offensive). They were efficient at the charity stripe, hitting 14 of 17 attempts for an 82.4% success rate, and boasted a shooting percentage of 55.6% from the field (40 of 72) along with 15 three-pointers from 34 attempts.
Karter Knox stood out in the match, achieving 21 points on 8 of 14 shooting, contributing 1 assist, and securing 6 rebounds in 24 minutes of play.
Arkansas enters this game with a 5-1 record for the season, averaging 12.5 turnovers and committing 14.2 personal fouls per game. The team is averaging 36.5 rebounds and has delivered 89 assists, ranking 191st in collegiate basketball in this category. The Razorbacks are hitting 35.5% from three-point range (50 of 141) and 75.7% at the free-throw line. They score an average of 81.2 points per game, positioning them 101st nationally, with an impressive 50.3% shooting from the field.
Defensively, Arkansas forces 17.7 turnovers per game and incurs 15.3 personal fouls. They restrict opponents to 26.8% shooting from beyond the arc and rank 15th in the nation in points allowed per game (59.2). The Razorbacks’ overall defensive shooting percentage is 37.0% (130 of 351), and they concede an average of 32.0 rebounds per game. Their defense ranks 56th nationally in terms of assists allowed, having surrendered 62 assists this year.
In their last outing, the Illinois Fighting Illini triumphed over Little Rock with a commanding score of 92-34. Illinois secured a total of 49 rebounds (35 defensive, 14 offensive) while committing 8 turnovers and boasting 11 steals in the process. Little Rock committed 18 personal fouls, leading to 26 free throw attempts for the Fighting Illini, who converted 22 for an impressive 84.6% shooting percentage. From three-point range, Illinois made 10 of 31 attempts (32.3%) and ended the game with a field goal percentage of 44.1% after hitting 30 of 68 shots. Defensively, the Fighting Illini permitted Little Rock to shoot only 23.6%, making just 13 of 55 attempts, and allowed 21.4% from three-point territory on 3 of 14 attempts, also finishing at 5 of 12 from the free-throw line (41.7%). Illinois allowed a total of 23 rebounds to Little Rock, including 6 offensive boards.
Kasparas Jakucionis was instrumental for the Fighting Illini, scoring 21 points in 28 minutes while also recording 5 assists. He shot 5 of 9 from the floor, translating to a 55.6% shooting rate, and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Illinois holds a season record of 5-1. Offensively, the Fighting Illini have a shooting percentage of 44.8% from the field, ranking them 197th in the nation. They have accumulated a total of 534 points this season (averaging 89.0 per game) and generate 50.2 rebounds per game. The team averages 15.3 assists (112th in the NCAA) while committing 11.0 turnovers per outing. Illinois averages 13.8 personal fouls per game and hits 70.4% from the free-throw line.
On the defensive front, Illinois limits opponents to 25.6% shooting from three-point range (33 of 129), while rivals have managed a 58.1% success rate from the foul line. They yield 9.3 assists and 32.8 rebounds per game, ranking them 24th and 111th in the NCAA respectively. Overall, the Fighting Illini are 13th in the nation for points allowed per game, conceding just 58.8 points. They force an average of 11.8 turnovers each game and limit opponents to a field goal percentage of 34.4% (4th in Division 1).
Free Prediction: Bet on Arkansas (+2.5)
