Michigan vs. Illinois Sharp Betting Picks (Dec. 11): Pros Finding Value on Spread & Over/Under

Michigan vs. Illinois Sharp Betting Picks (Dec. 11): Pros Finding Value on Spread & Over/Under article feature image
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Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Franz Wagner

  • Sharp bettors are finding plenty of value on tonight's Michigan vs. Illinois (9 p.m. ET) college basketball matchup.
  • The Action Network's tools reveal how they're hitting both the spread and over/under.

Another day, another top-five team from the Big Ten traveling to an unranked conference opponent … as an underdog.

Last night it was No. 4 Maryland visiting Penn State, and while the Terps opened as 1-point favorites, they ended up closing at +2 at most shops and ultimately lost the game, 76-69.

Looking to avoid that fate, the fifth-ranked Wolverines will travel to Champaign tonight to take on Illinois. And they also opened as 1-point favorites …

Michigan vs. Illinois Sharp Betting Report

9 p.m. ET | Big Ten Network

Perhaps because the general public respects Penn State a bit more than the Illini, tonight's game is setting up to be far more lopsided from a bet distribution standpoint. Illinois is receiving just 19% of spread tickets compared to the 45% that ultimately hit the Nittany Lions last night.

Still, nothing has changed as far as the sharp side.


Odds as of Wednesday at 1:40 p.m. ET. Check out DraftKings, where Action Network users get a risk-free bet up to $500.


Pros are once again among the minority — albeit a more extreme one — as indicated by the overall line movement, money percentages and specific market moves picked up by Sports Insights' Bet Signals.

Illinois' 19% backing has generated 33% of actual money hitting the spread, and while that doesn't create a monetary liability, it does reveal that bigger bets — the ones more likely to come from sharps — are landing on the home team.

In addition, following an early move in the direction of Michigan, the most recent two sharp moves to trigger SI's Bet Signals have come on Illinois at lines of +2.5 and again at a pick'em. As a result, Illinois is now a 1.5-point favorite.

The spread isn't the only thing catching sharps' attention, though.

This total has jumped from 142.5 up to 144.5 — and even 145 in some spots — thanks to some professional action on the over.

In this case, because overs generally attract a public following, sharps are among a 64% majority of bettors, but once again, two Sports Insights Bet Signals have confirmed the line movement to be a result of sharp action.

They've triggered moves at 142 and 143, resulting in the current consensus line.

Sharp angles: Illinois (moved from +1 to -1.5), Over (moved from 142.5 to 144.5) [In New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana or West Virginia? Bet now at DraftKings]

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Mar 28, 2024 UTC