Just saw that the line for the Wake - Illinois game is up at Illini -3 at Pinnacle. At the risk of being considered a huge homer here I think the Illini will cover this number. Believe me, if this game was on a neutral court I wouldn't touch it and if it was at Wake with the same line I'd be all over them. Have watched pretty much every Illinois game for about the past 8 years and when this team has any kind of talent they are nearly unbeatable at home. Well, this year they have loads of talent and I think they will go undefeated at home. Wake has played a couple games outside their home court but this is their first true road game where they are coming into a hostile environment. Wake will have to play perfect here because any mistake and this Illini team will run and gun you out of the building in a hurry.
However, one thing I would not recommend nearly as strongly is a 1h Illini bet. It's the annual "Paint the Hall Orange" night so if the #1 vs. #5 matchup isn't enough motivation that will just get the team and crowd extra jacked. Anyhow, could see the Illini come out with a little too much adrenaline and shoot too strong or pick up some early fouls with excess aggressiveness. Not too worried about it, but it's enough to not make me want to pick them to go wire to wire. Brown and Williams have been 3-year starters now and they are no stranger to the big game having made it to the tourney every year and going up against Duke in the sweet 16 last year. They should be able to lead and keep the team focused.
Illinois will lose a couple games this year when a) a coach will throw together a new scheme that will take them out of their game and b) they will have a couple games where the 3 won't fall for them at all. But they will shoot the 3 well at home and Wake isn't known for outstanding D. Also like the over 160.5 here, but not as much as the side.
Illini -3 10 units :thumb:
Illini/Wake over 160.5 4 units :Yep:
However, one thing I would not recommend nearly as strongly is a 1h Illini bet. It's the annual "Paint the Hall Orange" night so if the #1 vs. #5 matchup isn't enough motivation that will just get the team and crowd extra jacked. Anyhow, could see the Illini come out with a little too much adrenaline and shoot too strong or pick up some early fouls with excess aggressiveness. Not too worried about it, but it's enough to not make me want to pick them to go wire to wire. Brown and Williams have been 3-year starters now and they are no stranger to the big game having made it to the tourney every year and going up against Duke in the sweet 16 last year. They should be able to lead and keep the team focused.
Illinois will lose a couple games this year when a) a coach will throw together a new scheme that will take them out of their game and b) they will have a couple games where the 3 won't fall for them at all. But they will shoot the 3 well at home and Wake isn't known for outstanding D. Also like the over 160.5 here, but not as much as the side.
Illini -3 10 units :thumb:
Illini/Wake over 160.5 4 units :Yep:
