Michigan Basketball: Odds, prediction and how to watch vs Illinois

Michigan basketball is expected to play Illinois tonight and here’s a look at the odds, as well as a prediction and how to watch. 

At the start of the season, Michigan basketball fans couldn’t wait for the Wolverines to face off against Illinois — the team that tried to claim a co-Big Ten championship in 2020-21.

Michigan was the team that won the Big Ten last season and hung the championship banner. Illinois did win the Big Ten tournament title, so they have that, and tonight, the two teams are expected to play, despite Michigan dealing with issues relating to COVID-19.

The Wolverines have already missed two games, having to postpone Saturday’s game against Michigan State and another on Tuesday against Purdue.

Ahead of Friday’s matchup in Champaign, Juwan Howard met with the media and said, “Right now, at this moment, we have seven players and one coach available, but you never know how it can change tomorrow.”

Things could change either way I suppose with more players coming back or others testing positive and having to miss the game. So while everyone expects the game to happen, who knows what actually will happen — Standford and Wazzu had a game postponed after starters were introduced earlier this week — so it’s hard to predict.

From a basketball perspective, Michigan hasn’t been able to fully practice, not even having 10 bodies to do so. That’s not ideal and with all of Michigan’s defensive issues, it doesn’t inspire much confidence in improvement, at least in this first return to action.

Michigan will have its work cut out tonight, and looking ahead to Illinois, here’s a look at the odds, as well as our prediction, plus how to watch and stream.

Odds for Michigan basketball vs Illinois

According to WynnBET, Illinois is the heavy favorite going into tonight’s game. The Fighting Illini are favored by nine points against the Wolverines. The over/under is 144.5 and the money line is -500 for Illinois and +350 for Michigan.

Prediction

Kofi Cockburn has been flat-out dominant this season. He’s boosted his scoring average to 22 per game while averaging 12 rebounds and a block. He also gave Hunter Dickinson fits last season and assuming Hunter is one of the Wolverines playing, it’s not a good matchup for him.

However, this is Hunter’s chance to prove something to NBA scouts. He’s got to prove he can score on guys like this, otherwise, his post-up game isn’t even going to translate that well to the next level.

Not every college team has a 7-foot center but most NBA teams do and Dickinson could use a big night for his draft stock, which I honestly don’t see how it’s improved much, if at all.

But if he’s out there, he should be motivated and he’ll face a team that’s elite at guarding the rim. Illinois leads the Big Ten in scoring early in conference play and is second in defense. The Illini are also allowing just 41 percent on 2-point attempts in Big Ten play and rank ninth nationally in 2-point defense.

Michigan used to dominate that category. It has the past few seasons but in 2021-22, after being third nationally in 2-point defense, U-M ranks 156th.

It’s puzzling with Hunter Dickinson and Moussa Diabate but neither is a rim protector, at least they haven’t been very effective at it. Diabate has been as disappointing on defense as Caleb Houstan has been with the 3-point shot. Neither has come close to meeting expectations.

That’s why the Wolverines are in this hole. Also because they missed on DeVante Jones who just isn’t a quality Big Ten point guard. That’s been clear since early in the season.

Illinois will force Michigan to take a number of contested jumpers and Dickinson will struggle to get going inside against Cockburn. And honestly, we don’t even know who will be playing for the Wolverines, so you have to give the edge to the Illini and I see them winning 81-68.

Make your picks now at WynnBET!

What channel is the Michigan basketball game on?

Michigan basketball will play Illinois on Fox Sports 1 at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST

Michigan basketball vs Illinois Live Stream

Today’s Michigan basketball game can be streamed on Fubo TV.