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The No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini (7-3, 1-1 Big Ten) follow in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark to face the No. 9 Oregon Ducks (12-1, 1-1) Thursday. Tip-off from Matthew Knight Arena is set for 10 p.m. ET (FS1). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Illinois vs. Oregon odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
The Illini have won 2 straight since their defeat to Tennessee Dec. 14. Their latest was a 117-64 eradication of Chicago State Sunday. G Kylan Boswell had a triple-double with 18 points, 10 boards and 10 assists.
The Ducks have won 3 straight since their only defeat, which came Dec. 8 to UCLA. The latest was an 89-49 thrashing of Damian Lillard’s alma mater Weber State Sunday. G Jackson Shelstad led the way with 16 points.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll
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Illinois at Oregon odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds. Lines last updated at 12:20 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Illinois +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Oregon -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Illinois +4.5 (-110) | Oregon -4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 154.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Illinois at Oregon picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 72, Oregon 68
Moneyline
I like the dogs here. Not only are the Oregon fans likely hungover after watching their football team get castrated by Ohio State Wednesday evening, but Illinois matches up against the Ducks pretty well.
Oregon is led by 7-foot C Nate Bittle, who averages 13.2 points per game, but Illinois counters him with 7-foot-1 Croatian Tomislav Ivisic averaging 14.7. Illinois G Kasparas Jakucionis will need to be the best player on the court to get this done, and he will be. He was awesome in December, dropping 20 in every game except the latest game. His measly 14 (on 6-for-8 shooting) would have reached 20 if he played more than 23 minutes in the 53-point victory.
Take ILLINOIS +165.
Against the spread
Head straight to the player props section and take KASPARAS JAKUCIONAS OVER 15.5 POINTS (+100). The fact he’s at even money to score 16 when he averages that and scored 20 in 6 straight before last game’s blowout is easy money.
Over/Under
Both teams are 5-5 O/U in their last 10. Illinois pushes the pace, tied for 59th, while Oregon is a bit sluggish tied for 202nd. Neither team is known for its defense, but I see Oregon drawing this one out in an attempt to ice Illini shooters.
As such, take the UNDER 154.5 (-110).
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