Scheduled Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
Venue: State Farm Center, Champaign, IL
Broadcasting On: FOX
On Saturday, the Illinois Fighting Illini (7-2) will host the undefeated Tennessee Volunteers (9-0) at State Farm Center with hopes of claiming victory.
In their most recent outing, the Tennessee Volunteers secured a 75-62 victory against Miami. The Volunteers committed a total of 10 fouls, while Miami recorded 12. From the three-point range, Tennessee made 8 of their 33 attempts, and Miami succeeded with 60.0% from the free throw line, converting 6 of their 10 shots. Miami registered 29 rebounds with 7 offensive boards but did not secure any blocks. They made 11 assists and achieved 9 steals. Defensively, Tennessee allowed Miami to shoot 39.3%, hitting 24 out of 61 attempts. The Volunteers recorded 15 assists themselves, forced 12 turnovers, and made 5 steals while grabbing a total of 33 rebounds, including 4 offensively. At the charity stripe, Tennessee was efficient, making 15 out of 18 shots for an 83.3% success rate and finishing the game with a field goal percentage of 48.1% (25 of 52) and 10 of 25 from beyond the arc.
Chaz Lanier was a standout performer, hitting 53.3% from the floor, securing 3 rebounds, and dishing out 1 assist in 30 minutes of play, totaling 22 points on 8 of 15 shooting.
Explore our NCAA Basketball Expert Picks for further insights.
This season, Tennessee boasts an impressive 9-0 record, averaging 82.4 points per game, placing them 50th nationally. They’re shooting 52.1% from the field and 37.7% from three-point range (83 of 220), while their free throw percentage stands at 74.1%. The Volunteers average 38.3 rebounds and have compiled 157 assists, ranking 92nd for assists in the country, while turning the ball over 11.9 times each game and committing 14.2 personal fouls.
Defensively, Tennessee creates 14.1 turnovers per game and draws 16.8 fouls. They rank 3rd in the nation for fewest points allowed (57.2 PPG), limiting opponents to a 35.9% field goal percentage (181 of 504) and averaging 27.3 rebounds per game. Tennessee is also 12th in the NCAA in assists allowed, conceding only 87 for the season.
In their last match, the Illinois Fighting Illini triumphed 86-80 against Wisconsin, collecting 23 defensive and 15 offensive rebounds for a total of 38 rebounds. They turned the ball over 13 times while recording 3 steals. Wisconsin accumulated 21 fouls, sending Illinois to the line for 25 attempts, where they successfully converted 22, achieving an 88.0% free throw rate. Illinois managed to sink 10 of 33 three-point attempts (30.3%) and finished 27 of 64 from the floor for a shooting percentage of 42.2%. Wisconsin scored 28 of 63 attempts from the floor, shooting 44.4%. Illinois’ three-point shooting was at 34.5% (10 of 29), and they went 14 of 21 from the free throw line (66.7%). Illinois allowed Wisconsin a total of 27 rebounds (9 offensive).
Kasparas Jakucionis contributed significantly, shooting 53.3% with 24 points from 8 of 15 attempts, along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists in 37 minutes of gameplay.
The Fighting Illini hold a 7-2 record for the season. They average 86.2 points per game, with a total of 776 points thus far. Illinois averages 46.6 rebounds per game and shoots 44.4% from the field, ranking them 212th nationally. They commit 15.9 fouls per game while shooting 71.9% from the free throw line and registering 15.8 assists per game (88th in college basketball). They also average 11.2 turnovers per contest.
On the defensive side, Illinois ranks 38th in the nation by allowing 64.4 PPG. They force an average of 10.9 turnovers per game and limit opponents to a 37.4% shooting percentage (11th in the country). Illinois allows 26.5% shooting from three-point range (52 of 196) and restricts opponents’ free throw success to 59.6%. They allow 10.7 assists and 33.4 rebounds per game, ranking 49th and 132nd in college basketball, respectively.
Free Prediction: Bet on Illinois (+1.5)
