Illinois at Iowa odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Illinois at Iowa odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The No. 25 Illinois Fighting Illini (16-6, 7-4 Big Ten) visit the Iowa Hawkeyes (14-8, 6-5) in a Big Ten battle Saturday afternoon. The contest at Carver-Hawkeye Arena will tip off at 2:30 p.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Illinois vs. Iowa odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Illinois is 7-1 straight up and against the spread since Jan. 7. Despite playing at a quick tempo, the Illini has posted solid defensive numbers of late. Over that 7-1 stretch, UI has held foes under 61 points 5 times.

The Hawkeyes lost a pair of road games Jan. 21 at Ohio State and Jan. 26 at Michigan State, but they have bounced back with 2-straight wins (straight up and against the spread) at home. Iowa has won 5 in a row on home hardwood and is 11-2 at home this season.

Rankings courtesy the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

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Illinois at Iowa odds

Provided by Tipico 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: Illinois +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Iowa -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Illinois +2.5 (-115) | Iowa -2.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 153.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Illinois at Iowa picks and predictions

Prediction

Iowa 76, Illinois 72

Moneyline

The Hawkeyes are at a decent price to preserve their home floor. As mentioned, they’re 11-2 and home and home won 5 straight. Take IOWA (-135).

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Against the spread

The last 6 games of this series have amounted to a 3-3 ATS split. The spread here is a fair one with the Hawkeyes at home where they are 22-for-45 (48.9%) on 3-pointers over their last 2 games.

PASS and stick to the ML.

Over/Under

The Under is 3-1 across the last 4 Illinois-Iowa games, and it’s 3-0-1 in the Illini’s last 4 games.

The pace in this one should be brisk, but both teams do well to prevent 3s and force more inefficient midrange jumpers. Illinois is especially stout in its all-around defense. Recent Illini games against top-50 foes have tilted toward the Under.

TAKE THE UNDER 153.5 (-110).

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