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The Nebraska Cornhuskers (23-9) battle the No. 14 Illinois Fighting Illini (24-8) Saturday in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament. Tip-off from Target Center in Minneapolis is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Nebraska vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The 3rd-seeded Cornhuskers destroyed the No. 6 seed Indiana Hoosiers 93-64 Friday night in the quarterfinals. They easily covered the spread as 5.5-point favorites, and the Over (146.5) cashed. Junior G Brice Williams and senior G Keisei Tominaga each scored 23 points in the victory. Nebraska as a team hit 14 three-pointers.
This is the 1st time the Cornhuskers have reached the semifinals of the tournament since they entered the conference in 1998.
The Illinois Fighting Illini, the 2nd seed in the tournament, got 2 clutch free throws from senior F Coleman Hawkins to put them in the lead for good with 1:15 remaining in a 77-74 win over Ohio State Friday. They failed to cover as 5-point favorites, and the Over (149.5) hit. First-team All-Big Ten G Terrence Shannon Jr. continued his historic season with another epic performance, finishing with 28 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
The Fighting Illini are looking to win the tournament title for the 1st time since 2021.
Nebraska lost 87-84 in overtime to Illinois Feb. 4 in their only meeting this season. The Cornhuskers did cover the spread as 10-point underdogs, and the Over (154.5) cashed.
– Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
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Nebraska vs. Illinois odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nebraska +162 (bet $100 to win $162) | Illinois -196 (bet $196 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nebraska +4.5 (-110) | Illinois -4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 153.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Nebraska vs. Illinois picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 78, Nebraska 72
Moneyline
PASS.
I’m never going to recommend you to bet almost 2 units to win 1. Illinois (-196) will win this game, but I’m going to look to the spread for my wager.
Against the spread
BET ILLINOIS -4.5 (-110).
The Fighting Illini have owned the Cornhuskers. They’ve beaten them 9 of the last 10 meetings and covered the spread in 7 of those games. Nebraska did cover in the Feb. 4 meeting despite Illinois winning the game in overtime.
This game comes down to Nebraska’s shooting. If it is hitting its 3s, it is very hard to beat — like what we saw against the Hoosiers Friday night. I believe Illinois’ defense will do a better job of controlling the perimeter. The Fighting Illini will play in their 2nd Big Ten championship game in the last 4 years.
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Over/Under
BET UNDER 153.5 (-110).
These teams have been Under in 7 of their last 10 head-to-head matchups. Books wants you to take the Over with the way this line is set because Illinois has done it in 8 of its last 10. However, this is the Big Ten Tournament on a neutral court; all the rules are thrown out the window.
Don’t take the bait. I like the Fighting Illini to cool down the Cornhuskers shooters and keep this game under the total.
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