College basketball on Tuesday night and we will see the Illinois Fighting Illini take to the road for the first time this season as they visit the UNLV Runnin Rebels for a non-conference bout.The game has a start time of 10:45 pm (Eastern) and will be televised on CBSSN. Current odds have Illinois listed as 3.5 point favorites, while the total has yet to be released.
Analysis: The Fighting Illini cruised to five straight home victories by an average of 20.6 points while starting 5-0 for the third consecutive season. Illinois has won its last two games by a combined 50 points, with the most recent one a 77-53 trouncing of Chicago State. Defense has been the name of the game for the Illini this year as they are limiting the opposition to jut 57.0 ppg this year and holding foes to a mere .349 shooting, while enjoying a +14.6 rebounding margin. On offense the Illini have 4 of 5 starters that are averaging double figures, led by Rayvonte Rice's 15.6 ppg. Joseph Bertrand is shooting a team-high .575 from the floor and leads the way on the boards (7.4 rpg), while netting 13.0 ppg. Illinois has won all three previous meetings, including a 73-62 victory in the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
Dave Rice's Runnin' Rebels have yet to leave Sin City, as the team has begun the campaign with a six-game homestand that ends on Nov. 30 against Tennessee-Martin. The Rebels are in a bit of a reshuffling situation and have lost to UC Santa Barbara and Arizona State in a lackluster 2-2 start. UNLV’s losses from last season’s 25-10 squad include No. 1 overall NBA pick Anthony Bennett and the cast of newcomers haven’t yet formed cohesiveness. Kendall Smith has been a force inside this season, converting 56.1 percent of his shots, while pacing the team in scoring (14.3 ppg) and rebounding (16.3 rpg). Kehm Birch has been tough down low as well, with a double- double of his own (10.3 ppg, 11.3 rpg), while pacing the team with 5.4 blocks per game. For the year the Rebels are shooting just .412 from the floor, averaging a modest 71.2 ppg, while allowing 72.5.
Pick: I like the Rebels as a small dog in this one. The Illini have yet to play anyone all that strong this year, so their 5-0 start may be a bit misleading. UNLV is still searching for the defining moment for the season and this should be it, with a big win over an overrated Illinois team.
-$25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
RJ Bell Talks Daily Fantasy Sports — LISTEN on Soundcloud
Stay on top of the latest odds and line moves for CBB Season with our real-time odds from Las Vegas and offshore!
Getting ready for Basketball Season with Greg Shaker
Join us as we walk you through getting ready for basketball season with Pregame Pro Greg Shaker.