The No. 2 Texas Longhorns and 17th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini (6-2) will meet Tuesday at Madison Square Garden in a national televised battle starting at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Illinois vs. Texas odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Illinois is coming off a 71-66 road loss at undefeated Maryland (8-0) Friday. The Illini didn’t cover as 1.5-point underdogs, but became the 1st opponent to keep a game within 10 points vs. the then-No. 22, now-No. 13 Terrapins so far this season.
Texas comes into this top-20 matchup following a 72-67 home victory over then-No. 7 Creighton Thursday. The Longhorns, who didn’t cover as 6.5-point favorites, rely on a group of young freshmen and talented transfers.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
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Illinois vs. Texas odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 12:04 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Illinois +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Texas -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Illinois +2.5 (-110) | Texas -2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 142.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Illinois vs. Texas picks and predictions
Prediction
Texas 75, Illinois 71
Moneyline
PASS.
While -140 on Texas is not a bad price, the Longhorns should win this game more than comfortably. Using the ML buffer is not worth the 0.30 it will cost. Only bet the ML if you are backing Illinois in this game.
Against the spread
BET TEXAS -2.5 (-110).
While both games were played at the new Moody Center at Texas, the Longhorns beat Gonzaga by 19 (93-74) and, as mentioned, Creighton by 5. Both opponents were top-10 teams at the time.
Illinois, which is coming off the in-conference Big Ten loss to Maryland, will be another tough challenge for Texas. Illinois will certainly be focused for this game, facing the No. 2 team in the country on a national stage and trying to avoid a 2-game slide. However, Texas will and cover the -2.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET OVER 142.5 (-110).
The Longhorns have yet to score under 72 points in a game this season. This was against Creighton, which was hoisting 3-point shots and forcing Texas to wrangle long rebounds before getting down the court.
Illinois will play a more inside game. Something Texas can also do. This should be the type of game Texas played when scoring 93 vs. Gonzaga.
Both these teams will score in the 70’s, making OVER 142.5 (-110) my FAVORITE PLAY here.
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