The Penn State Nittany Lions (19-12, 10-10 Big Ten) take on the Illinois Fighting Illini (20-11, 11-9) Thursday in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament. Tip from United Center is set for 6:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Penn State vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Penn State failed to cover as a 3.5-point home favorite in a 65-64 victory over Maryland in its regular-season finale Sunday. It won back-to-back games, and 5 of its last 6, to end the year. The Nittany Lions are 4-5-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 games and sit at 16-13-2 ATS this season.
Illinois covered as a 7-point road underdog in a 76-71 loss at Purdue Sunday in its final game of the regular season. The Fighting Illini are 5-5 straight up and ATS in their last 10 games and finished the regular season 18-13 ATS.
Penn State beat Illinois in both matchups this season, winning 74-59 as a 10-point road underdog on Dec. 10 and 93-81 as a 3.5-point home underdog on Feb. 14.
Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
THE BRACKETS ARE BACK! The USA TODAY Sports Bracket Challenge is back! $1 MILLION grand prize for a perfect bracket, $25,000 prize for top bracket. Free to enter, 21+. Terms apply, void where prohibited by law. See Official Rules. Play now!
[betwidget_tipico]
[betwidget_gambbetmgmsb]
[betwidget_gambfanduelsb]
Penn State vs. Illinois odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:07 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Penn State +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Illinois -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Penn State +2.5 (-110) | Illinois -2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 140.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Can you survive? USA TODAY Sports’ Men and Women’s Basketball Tournament Survivor Pools are here with a $5,000 prize for each contest! Free to enter, 21+. Terms apply, void where prohibited by law. See Official Rules. Play now!
Penn State vs. Illinois picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 69, Penn State 68
Moneyline
PASS.
Illinois (-145) is not worth a play on Illinois in what should be a close game.
With Penn State taking both season matchups by more than 10 points, you would be justified to sprinkle half a unit on the Nittany Lions (+125) if you are feeling lucky.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Against the spread
LEAN PENN STATE +2.5 (-110).
Penn State is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 Thursday games and is 3-1 ATS on neutral courts this season.
Illinois has been struggling against the spread recently, going 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games overall, 3-8 ATS in its last 11 neutral site games, and 1-6 ATS in its last 7 Thursday games.
The underdog is also 22-10-2 ATS in the last 34 meetings between these programs.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 140.5 (-115).
The Under is 4-1 in the Nittany Lions last 5 neutral site games and 12-3 in their last 15 games against a team with a winning outright record. As it stands, 140.5 would be tied for the 2nd-highest closing line in their last 10 games.
The Under is 10-3 in their last 13 games for the Fighting Illini against a team with a winning record.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
For sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Plus, try out the USA TODAY Parlay Calculator and please gamble responsibly.
Follow @seth_orlemann on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]