Illlinois Fighting Illini vs. Marquette Golden Eagles Prediction, Pick and Preview, November 15 (11/15): NCAAB

Illlinois Fighting Illini vs. Marquette Golden Eagles Prediction, Pick and Preview, November 15 (11/15): NCAAB

Credit: photo by Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

 

Odds

 

Time 3:30 p.m. EST
Illinois money line -350
Illinois spread -7.5 (-110)
Marquette money line +275
Marquette spread +7.5 (-110)
Over / under 144.5

 

Preview

The Marquette Golden Eagles will host the Illinois Fighting Illini from the Fiserv Forum for the first of this year's Gavitt Tipoff Games.

The Fighting Illini has started the with two decisive victories, and there appears to be life after the departues of Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn.

The Golden Eagles has picked up two early wins, but they had a bit of trouble crossing the finish line and failed to cover twice.

 

Illinois (2-0)

Senior swingman Jacob Grandison has taken on a bigger role early. The Holy Cross transfer leads the team with 17.5 ppg, while grabbing 5.5 rpg.

Sophomore guard Andre Curbelo was a key contributor last season, and he also made his debut against the Red Wolves, scoring eight points and dishing out seven assists.

Senior guards Trent Frazier and Alfonso Plummer bring a much needed veteran presence to the backcourt. Frazier has been a cog in Illinois' offense for five seasons now, and after missing the opener he scored 12 points in the win over Arkansas State.

 

Coleman Hawkins anchors the middle, and he's off to a good start, leading Illinois in rebounding (10.1), while scoring 15 ppg.

Marquette (2-0)

Darryl Morsell has come in and assumed a Markus Howard-type role already. The Maryland transfer has opened the season with back-to-back 20-point performances, while shooting 60% from the field.

Justin Lewis will anchor the Golden Eagles frontcourt. The redshirt freshman has already posted a pair of double-double, and he looks set to lead the team in rebounding this year.

Stevie Mitchell and Tyler Kolek start in the backcourt for Marquette, and neither has played too inspiring thus far. Kolek, a sharpshooting transfer from George Mason, is 0-8 from deep through the first two contests.

Prediction

Illinois possesses both the more experienced roster, and the more talented one. The Fighting Illini loss two big pieces in Dosunmu and Cockburn, but they haven't missed a beat, and they've come out and dominated in their first two contests. They're battle-tested, so this early road spot might not phase them too much here. Get the first college basketball Monday started on the right note, and ride with Illinois

PICK: Illinois -7.5 (-110)

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