Alabama Crimson Tide vs
Illinois Fighting IlliniPredictions & Preview

#8 Alabama Crimson Tide to Face #25 Illinois Fighting Illini in Highly Anticipated C.M. Newton Classic Showdown

On Wednesday, the #25 Illinois Fighting Illini will face off against the #8 Alabama Crimson Tide in the C.M. Newton Classic. Both teams are off to strong starts this season, with Illinois boasting a 3-0 record and Alabama at 3-1. This highly anticipated non-conference matchup will take place at the Legacy Arena at BJCC in Birmingham, AL, with tip-off set for 9:00 ET. Alabama is favored to win, with the opening line at -6.5 and the current line at -8.5. Stay tuned for my Illinois vs. Alabama picks and predictions as I analyze each team's recent form and season expectations.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Crimson Tide -370 | Fighting Illini +290
• Spread: Crimson Tide -8.5 (-110) | Fighting Illini +8.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 167.25 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Alabama will win straight-up is 79%.

Alabama vs Illinois Stats

Alabama Crimson Tide

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood is entering his eighth season with a strong record of 146-88. The team has consistently made the NCAA tournament for four years in a row. They are currently 3-0 this season and are projected to finish fourth in the Big Ten. The team has performed well in key statistical categories, such as field goal percentage, three-point shooting, and rebounding. Alabama is ranked 43 in offense and 38 in defense, with a 3-0 record this season. Offensively, Illinois averages 45.05% field goals, 72.53% free throws, and 36.19% three-pointers. Defensively, they allow 22.95% of three-pointers and average 32.00 defensive rebounds per game.

Illinois Fighting Illini Analysis

In a recent matchup, Coach Nate Oats and his Alabama Crimson Tide faced Purdue, resulting in an 87-78 loss for the Tide. Purdue outperformed Alabama in key statistical categories such as field goal percentage, three-point shooting, and turnovers. Grant Nelson recorded a double-double for Purdue, while Lebaron Philon led all Crimson Tide scorers with 18 points. Despite this loss, Alabama had previously secured victories against UNC Asheville, Arkansas State, and McNeese. The Tide is expected to perform well this season, with projections to win the SEC title. Guard Mark Sears has already garnered attention, earning first-team All-SEC honors. Looking ahead, Alabama will face Illinois, who ranks #22 in power rankings and are known for their strong offense and defense. Alabama will aim to improve upon their shooting percentages and turnovers, while also capitalizing on their strong rebounding performance.

Illinois Favored Over Alabama in Ranked Showdown Due to Defensive Inefficiencies

Due to the favorable matchup and statistical analysis, I am endorsing the Illini in the upcoming ranked showdown. The key factor influencing my decision is Alabama's defensive inefficiency, as evidenced by their 44th ranking in adjusted defensive efficiency, allowing 96.7 points per 100 possessions. In their recent game against Purdue, Alabama gave up 87 points, further highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities against top-tier opponents. While Alabama may have the potential to defeat Illinois convincingly, their lax defense could give Illinois an opportunity to remain competitive in the game.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ]