College basketball fans and gamblers will cry “FUEGO!” on Tuesday night. Illinois and Michigan are two of the hottest teams for March Madness betting. Both programs are ranked in the top five of the country. On the whole, Illinois is one of the best offensive teams in the country. Coach Brad Underwood has built a squad of sharpshooters. Michigan is one of the most complete and balanced teams in the nation. Second-year coach Juwan Howard’s program does everything well. Michigan is the Big Ten regular-season champion. But an Illinois win would factor large for the Big Dance!
CBB Betting: #4 Illinois Fighting Illini vs. #2 Michigan Wolverines
When: Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan
TV: ESPN
#4 Illinois at #2 Michigan CashBet Wagering Analysis
On this occasion, Michigan will get a slight bump from gamblers with the sportsbook odds. Maize and Blue fans back their teams in large numbers. Michigan is one of the biggest name brands in college sports. By contrast, Illinois is not on the same level as the casual public. Basketball has always been a strong suit for the Illini. But they are coming out of a period in the wilderness.
Michigan has become a national power over the past decade. And that carries weight with gamblers.
Sharps will look at Illinois because of a more favorable price on the road. And then squares will flock to Michigan as the higher-ranked name-brand home favorite. Countless media members went to school at Michigan. As a result, they will hype the Maize and Blue at the slightest hint of success. And the Wolverines’ recent run has fed into that. The Michigan Media Hype Machine has a direct effect on the betting line. Casual bettors feed off it and bet Michigan up accordingly. So far, it hasn’t affected the M Men’s betting value. Eventually, that will change.
Illinois Rides Momentum Into A2
Last time out for the Illini was a 74-69 win at Wisconsin as 4.5-point dogs. Over the total of 135.5 paid too. Illinois is 18-6 straight up, 14-9-1 against the spread, and 14-9 over the total. Overall, the Fighting Illini ranks 17th out of 350 teams for scoring offense and 143rd for points allowed. Further, Illinois ranks 9th for field goal percentage and 22nd for 3-point shooting.
Guard Ayo Dosunmu leads the Fighting Illini with 21 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. Dosunmu is a top 2021 March Madness Betting asset that could carry Illinois to the Final Four
Maize and Blue Flush in Green
Michigan routed Indiana 73-57 as 7-point road chalks Saturday. Under the total of 137 paid too. Late on, the Wolverines have covered six of their last seven bets on NCAA basketball matchups. Michigan is 18-1 straight up, 15-4 against the spread, and 8-11 under the total. In sum, the Wolverines rank 38th for scoring offense and 55th for points allowed. The M Men rank 15th for field goal percentage and 13th for 3-point shooting.
Center Hunter Dickenson, Forward Isaiah Livers, and guard Franz Wagner all over 13 points and six rebounds per game.
Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan Wolverines Against the Spread
On the whole, Illinois has covered only three of their last nine games against Michigan. Four of the previous six games in this series stayed under the total. Specifically, at Michigan, Illinois has paid in just one of their last five visits. Three of the previous four between these teams at Crisler Center stayed under the total. Tuesday’s game is the first meeting of the season between these two teams.
Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan Wolverines CashBet Free Pick
As mentioned earlier, Illinois is not a good 2021 March Madness Betting value at Michigan. Most of all, the Maize and Blue are printing money. They’re in the best form in the land.
Illinois at Michigan CashBet Best Bet:
Michigan Wolverines
