Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Alabama Crimson Tide 11/20/24 NCAA Men’s Basketball Forecast and Betting Odds

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Alabama Crimson Tide 11/20/24 – This Wednesday, the Illinois Fighting Illini (3-0), who remain undefeated and have a perfect win-loss record so far in their 3 games, are going to face off against Alabama Crimson Tide (3-1) in what promises to be a thrilling encounter in NCAA Men’s Basketball. The teams will take the court on Wednesday as competitive as ever, and they are now looking to heat the Legacy Arena. Fans who can’t bear to miss a dribble or fellow NCAAB fans can reasonably watch SECN for live action.

Team	SP/RL	TOTAL	ML
Fighting Illini	+4.5 (-110)	163.5 over (-125)	+280
Crimson Tide	-4.5 (-125)	163.5 under (-110)	-360

The famILLy got a little bigger today. Welcome, Brandon!

🔸 Four-star recruit ranked No. 89 overall by Rivals in the 2025 class
🔹 Third-leading scorer in the EYBL at 23 ppg
🔸 Puerto Rico’s leading scorer in the FIBA U18 AmeriCup in June#Illini | #HTTO | #EveryDayGuys pic.twitter.com/Lc0225GQwr

— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) November 20, 2024

Given the current odds, Alabama enters as the favorite, despite their less stellar recent ATS record. Illinois, with their solid start, presents an intriguing underdog bet, especially with their strong ATS performance in recent outings. The over/under suggests a high-scoring game, aligning with both teams’ ability to put up points in bunches.

Will Riley (Forward) vs. Mark Sears (Guard)

Riley Will, the top forward for the Illinois team, has started the season in great style averaging 17.7 points and 6 rebounds in the first three games. What makes the player one of his team’s key assets is his remarkable ability to shoot 69.2% from the perimeter. They are critical where they are needed more. Riley’s presence on the court adds depth to both defense and offense for the team, and thus is key in the game plan for Illinois.

For the Alabama team, their closest guard, Mark Sears, combines scoring and playmaking, averaging 17.3 points and 3.5 assists. Although his three-point percentage (35%) is not attractive like Riley’s, his 80% free-throw percentage makes him dependable in clutch situations. Sears brings a knowledge of the game and the Vyze to control his play, which could prove valuable in breaking down the Illini.

But the players face different dynamics when they go at each other. For instance, while Sears’ shooting efficiency from the field in addition to his size might equally prove to be a difficult aspect for Riley, opposite, the mold of the game constructed around the latter with his Passing and active playmaking ability may turn the defense’s attention and open up the floor for his other teammates. This individual duel may well govern the speed and any changes in strategies in the course of the match.

Statistical Showdown: Illinois’s Offensive Firepower

This season, Illinois has been an offensive powerhouse which averages 89.3 points a game while shooting a good 45.1% from the field. They shoot 36.2% from the 3-point line on 35 attempts each game, effectively spreading out the defense to gain rebounding and scoring opportunities inside the paint. Their domination on the glass further enhances their offensive prowess, averaging 47.3 rebounds a game, which may help them get some second-chance points against Alabama.

Crimson Tide’s Balanced Attack

The stats sheet for Alabama reveals a balanced team able to score at a high rate (87 points per game) as well as defend well, as seen from 48.1 percent of their field goals made. Although the percentage of three pointers made is slightly lower at 30.4 percent, their control of the ball (11.3 turnovers per game) and free throw success (70%) shows that it is a disciplined team which makes good scoring chances.

Trends

Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends

Illinois are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Illinois’ last 5 games.
Illinois are 10-1 SU in their last 11 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Illinois’ last 6 games against an opponent in the Southeastern conference.
Illinois are 6-0 SU in their last 6 games played in November.

Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Trends

Alabama are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Alabama’s last 5 games.
Alabama are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Alabama’s last 6 games against an opponent in the Big Ten conference.
Alabama are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games played in November.

Hilbert Mayer

Sports Writer

Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.

Published on: November 20, 2024
Last updated: March 28, 2025

NCAAB