Northwestern has managed to secure victory in two of its last three matchups against Illinois, winning three out of their last six encounters.
But let’s not dwell too much on the stats—are they cherry-picked? That’s not for me to decide!
The Illinois-Northwestern basketball rivalry is every bit as thrilling and contentious as their football matchups. For clarity, Northwestern has struggled historically, while Illinois—let’s just say they have a mixed record but continue making questionable coaching decisions.
In this fierce rivalry, Northwestern has often outperformed expectations, with some astonishingly entertaining antics from both teams. The magic often includes the Illini shooting a dismal percentage from beyond the arc or infamous misplays that lead to unexpected outcomes.
This rivalry is not just for the die-hard fans—there’s plenty of entertainment here for everyone (unless you root for Illinois).
- * While it’s not my intention to glorify harm in sports, a particularly memorable moment was when Northwestern’s Corey Wootton took down Brett Favre in 2010—an iconic play worth remembering.
- ** Apparently, my video search history has a particular fondness for that Wootton moment. Thanks, Iowa.
Since Chris Collins took over as the Wildcats’ head coach in 2013, they’ve faced the Illini 22 times. While Illinois leads the historical tally at 144-46 (with an impressive .758 win rate), Northwestern’s competitiveness has grown.
It bears repeating: Illinois stands at 144, Northwestern at 46.
Over the past 22 games, the Wildcats have recorded a 7-15 record (.682 win rate for Illinois). But here’s the kicker—you can profit from this basketball rivalry without simply betting on the Illini. Let’s dive into how to do this!
If the Game is at Illinois, Bet on the Illini to Win…
Illinois boasts an impressive 9-0 home record against Northwestern, with an average victory margin of 12 points. Choose your favorite win—the 2015 victory (86-60) or the 66-50 triumph in 2017. Feeling a bit zesty? Check out their 96-66 rout in January 2024!
So, if the game is being held at the State Farm Assembly Center, place your bets on Illinois for a solid win!
…and to Cover (Except in February)
Illinois managed to cover the spread five out of those nine times, but notably failed to do so in January 2020 and Februarys of 2023, 2022, and 2023.
Interestingly, the rivalry usually kicks off in Evanston, with their subsequent meetings often taking place in February—hence the need for careful betting!
Fade the Illini ATS in Welsh-Ryan Arena (and beyond)…
Under Chris Collins, Northwestern is 7-6 at home and in nearby venues against Illinois. While I don’t have updated stats (thanks, paywall), I suspect Illinois was favored in most of these contests.
In their inaugural bout at Welsh-Ryan Arena, there was an eerie throwback vibe reminiscent of previous coaching strategies that didn’t quite resonate with fans. Let’s just say, the Illini were well prepared but faltered historically.
It’s worth revisiting those box scores—after all, this matchup is nothing short of captivating.
…and if Odds Favor Illinois’s Shooting, Take the Under!
The Illini’s shooting performances at Welsh-Ryan have been less than stellar. Here’s a snapshot of their shooting statistics over the years:
- Jan 2015: 41.9% FG, 33.3% 3pt (Illinois W, 72-67)
- Feb 2016: 36.8% FG, 40% 3pt (L, 58-56—shakes fist at Tre Demps)
- Feb 2017: 45.3% FG, 42.1% 3pt (W, 68-61)
- Jan 2024: 40.8% FG, 45.8% 3pt (L, 96-91—Northwestern’s comeback was unprecedented)
With these insights, I hope you’re better prepared to place your bets wisely! Good luck, and let’s embrace the chaos of this rivalry!
