This is the time to look for hot teams with strong motivation. Illinois is one such team. The Illini have won four in a row and five of their last six putting themselves on the NCAA Tournament bubble.

Illinois is doing it with defense holding opponents to under 40 percent shooting from the floor during its last seven games.

This is an excellent matchup for the Illini to stay hot. Rutgers ranks 321st in scoring at 65.8 points per game. The Scarlet Knights rate among the bottom teams, too, in field goal percentage at 41.2.

The Scarlet Knights just want the season to be finished. They have dropped six in a row while ranking last in the Big Ten with a 2-15 mark.

Illinois has achieved good recent success in these types of matchups covering six of the last seven times versus sub .500 foes. Rutgers has failed to cover six of the last seven times, too, as a home 'dog of between one and 6 1/2 points.

Note, too, Illinois has covered in each of the past four meetings with Rutgers.