To kick off their season, the DePaul Blue Demons will travel to State Farm Center and meet the Illinois Fighting Illini (2-0). The games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 149.5 points with Illinois opening as a 7.5-point favorite. Action gets underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, November 17, 2017.
DePaul Blue Demons at Illinois Fighting Illini Free Preview
In the Fighting Illinis last matchup, they topped the UT Martin Skyhawks, 77-74. Illinois rallied around Leron Black, who was the top scorer from either team with 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting. Illinois played a perfect game. They had a free throw rate of 0.328 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 32.4. For those same stats, UT Martin recorded marks of 0.210 and 28.6, respectively.
DePaul was unable make the tournament following a 9-23 regular season last season.
DePaul might struggle to find the bottom of the net as they go head-to-head against one of the NCAAs best defenses. Illinois ranks 84th in defensive efficiency, while the Blue Demons rank 275th in offensive efficiency since last season.
The Blue Demons were 9-23 straight up (SU) and 13-17-1 against the spread (ATS) last season. Of DePauls 31 games last year, 16 finished over the projected point total.
The Fighting Illini have had a respectable 20-14 SU record since last season, but have had difficulty covering the spread (15-18-1 ATS). Illinois games have had a tendency to go under the projected point total over that same period (67.6 percent).
DePaul Blue Demons vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Illinois, ATS Winner – Illinois, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Blue Demons rank 184th in blocks per game (2.9) while the Fighting Illini rank 229th (2.4).
- Illinois ranks 34th in assists allowed per game (11.2) while DePaul ranks 277th (15.4).
- The Fighting Illini rank 172nd in three pointers attempted per game (20.9) while the Blue Demons rank 294th (17.6).
- Illinois ranks 203rd in rebounds per game (35.0) while DePaul ranks 272nd (33.0).
