Hawkeyes vs. Fighting Illini Odds & Betting Predictions - March 13, 2025

Illinois dominated the last matchup, winning 81-61 while shooting 50.8% from the field. Their offense ranks 2nd in the Big Ten, averaging 83.7 PPG, and they crash the boards hard with 39.6 RPG. Iowa struggles defensively—47.5% opponent FG% and 78.9 PPG allowed. Illinois also holds teams to just 41.8% shooting, a huge edge here. Iowa’s road defense is a disaster—giving up 86.7 PPG and 53% FG% away from home. Illinois thrives in neutral-site games, covering 5 of their last 8 Thursday matchups. The Hawkeyes have covered just 3 of their last 16 games, and they’ve lost three of their last five by double digits. Illinois should dominate in the paint and in transition. The last matchup wasn’t close, and not much has changed. Illinois has won four of the last five meetings, with three by 10+. Their rebounding and defensive edge is too much for Iowa to handle. With Iowa’s offense struggling lately (72.4 PPG in last 5), Illinois pulls away again.