Illinois Fighting Illini vs Wisconsin Badgers Picks and Predictions December 10th 2024

Wisconsin and Illinois Seek Redemption in Big Ten Play

While it may not be a must-win game in mid-December, No. 20 Wisconsin and Illinois both have a pressing need to regroup and reestablish momentum as they meet Tuesday night in Champaign, Illinois. After suffering tough losses last week, this matchup carries weight for both teams looking to make early statements in Big Ten play.

Wisconsin’s Turnover Troubles and Quest for Consistency

Wisconsin (8-2, 0-1 Big Ten) comes off a difficult week, including a home loss to Michigan in its Big Ten opener and an 88-74 defeat at No. 5 Marquette. Despite a competitive first half against Marquette, the Badgers unraveled under pressure, committing seven turnovers during a critical nine-minute stretch. Marquette capitalized, outscoring Wisconsin 25-10 and securing a double-digit lead the Badgers could not overcome.

Head coach Greg Gard was candid about the team’s self-inflicted mistakes:
“We have to play off two feet better. John Tonje, it’s an ongoing quest with him to play off two feet because it’s going to allow him to finish better, get to the free-throw line, and make better decisions.”

Despite the challenges, Wisconsin’s dynamic backcourt duo of John Tonje (21.5 points per game) and John Blackwell (15.2 points per game) continues to be a bright spot. Both players excel at breaking down defenses off the dribble, a skill that could be critical against Illinois’ defensive strategy.

Illinois’ Defensive Strength and Offensive Rebounding Needs

Illinois (6-2, 0-1 Big Ten) also faced disappointment last week, falling 70-66 in overtime to Northwestern after squandering a 10-point second-half lead. The loss dropped the Illini from the Top 25 rankings and exposed areas for improvement, particularly on the offensive glass.

The Illini missed 42 field-goal attempts against Northwestern but managed just seven offensive rebounds. Head coach Brad Underwood expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s effort on the boards:
“We fell in love with it (offensive rebounding) during the win against Arkansas, but we’ve got to find guys tough enough to go after those missed shots consistently.”

Illinois remains a defensive powerhouse, leading the nation in effective field-goal percentage defense (40.6%) and holding opponents to just 25.1% shooting from beyond the arc. The team’s strategy of running opponents off the 3-point line and forcing them inside the arc has proven effective but requires complementary offensive rebounding to maximize its impact.

Key contributors like Kasparas Jakucionis and Tomislav Ivisic will be crucial in this matchup. Jakucionis hit six clutch 3-pointers in the final 18 minutes against Northwestern, while Ivisic dominated the boards with 12 rebounds (three offensive) and has posted four double-doubles in his last five games.

Check out the latest John Wooden Award Odds & Predictions for detailed analysis and updates.

Keys to the Game

Wisconsin must prioritize ball security after its turnover-laden loss to Marquette. Their ability to adapt to Illinois’ defensive pressure and capitalize on mid-range opportunities will be essential. For Illinois, regaining dominance on the offensive glass and maintaining their stellar defensive metrics will be critical in controlling the game’s tempo.

Both teams have the talent and urgency to make this a competitive and revealing Big Ten showdown, setting the stage for a pivotal December clash.