Posted on
12/17/2007 5:38:27 PM
NCAA Basketball Betting – Western Carolina (3-6) at Illinois (5-3)
By Eric Williams
Though the Western Carolina Catamounts, (2-4 ATS, 3-3 O/U) have struggled pretty much since their opening game this season, they couldn’t be facing the almost equally struggling Illinois Fighting Illini, (2-6 ATS, 5-2-1 O/U) at a better time.
After opening the season with seven games in three weeks, the Illini have played just one game over a span of 15 days entering tonight’s contest.
After winning their first three games to start the season, Illinois has been maddeningly inconsistent, alternating wins and losses in their last five contests, including a 78-72 loss to Arizona in their last game, Dec. 8.
Western Carolina could use all the help they can get too. Western Carolina averages 67.4 points per game on a dismal 38.5 percent mark from the field while allowing their opponents to average, 74.6 points per game on 45.7 percent shooting.
The Fighting Illini are averaging 70.1 points per game offensively on 44.5 percent shooting while holding their opponents to 65.2 points per contest on 40.9 percent shooting from the field.
The offensively challenged Catamounts are led by the only two players on their roster to average double figures in scoring, freshman guard Mike Porrini, (14.2 ppg) and sophomore guard Brandon Giles, (10.6 ppg).
The Fighting Illini are led by senior center Shaun Pruitt, (12.0 ppg), and Trent Meacham, (11.5 ppg).
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my free NCAA basketball betting free picks:
Key Western Carolina Trends
The Catamounts are 16-38 ATS in their last 54 games following a S.U. loss.
The Catamounts are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games.
The Catamounts are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Monday games.
Key Illinois Trends
The Fighting Illini are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Monday games.
The Fighting Illini are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games following a ATS loss.
The Fighting Illini are 5-15 ATS in their last 20 home games.
Key Totals Trends
The Over is 5-0 in Catamounts last 5 vs. Big Ten.
The Under is 4-1 in Catamounts last 5 games following a SU loss of more than 20 points.
The Over is 4-1-1 in Fighting Illini last 6 home games.
The Over is 4-1 in Fighting Illini last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
None Available
Analysis: Western Carolina was blown out by Indiana 100-52 on Saturday and will take their second consecutive thumping in three days by getting pounded by the Fighting Illini as well. Though I generally tend to hate high point spreads like this one, I don’t think there’s much doubt that Illinois wins this game by over 23 points at the least.
NCAAB Free Picks: Illinois -22 Points
08:00 PM EST College Basketball Odds
Western Carolina +22 -110
Illinois -22 -110
Over 137½ -110
Under 137½ -110
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