Illinois Fighting Illini betting odds line spread pick predictions best bets – Page 3

Ohio State at Illinois odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Ohio State at Illinois odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Ohio State Buckeyes (11-8, 1-4 Big Ten) and Illinois Fighting Illini (13-6, 9-2) are lined up for a Tuesday evening Big Ten battle on the hardwood. The contest at the State Farm Center in Champaign will tip off at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Ohio State at Illinois odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Ohio State has had an abysmal January. The Buckeyes are coming off a 93-77 win over Iowa (Saturday), but that win as a -3 favorite snapped a 5-game losing streak (straight up and against the spread). Saturday’s win over the Hawkeyes was in Columbus; OSU is just 1-5 across its last 6 road/neutral games.

Illinois is the opposite side of that coin. The Illini lost Saturday (80-65 vs. Indiana), snapping a 4-game SU and ATS win streak. UI shot just 38.7% from the floor in that game; the Illini had a similar number from the foul line, where they went 9-for-21 (39.1%).

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Ohio State at Illinois odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:10 a.m. ET.

Moneyline: Ohio State +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Illinois -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Ohio State +3.5 (+100) | Illinois -3.5 (-120)
Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Ohio State at Illinois picks and predictions

Prediction

Illinois 71, Ohio State 68

Moneyline

You can’t risk twice your return and expect to have success in the long run.

PASS.

Against the spread

OSU is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 series meetings.

Ohio State has some bad luck weaved into its scoring-vs.-game results. To that end, KenPom still pegs the Buckeyes 19th in NCAA-I. OSU logged a 62.5% effective field-goal mark in its last game, and that was after a string of shaky shooting performances. Ohio State has a history of clumping its fine shooting percentages together.

Peg the BUCKEYES +3.5 (+100) as a partial-unit play in a game that has a moderate-to-strong lean on the Under.

Over/Under

The pace matchup here is moderate (Ohio State) versus fast (Illinois), and that has the total a few clicks too high.

The Illini’s pace trend line is one moving toward more moderate paces. They get a lot of points from distance, but perimeter defense is a strength for OSU. The Buckeyes take good care of the ball, likely to a point slowing UI’s transition game.

BACK THE UNDER 145.5 (-115).

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Michigan State at Illinois odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Michigan State at Illinois odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Michigan State Spartans (12-4, 4-1 Big Ten) and Illinois Fighting Illini (11-5, 2-3) are lined up for a Friday night battle in Champaign. The opening tip at the State Farm Center will be at 9 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Michigan State vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Michigan State is 7-0 straight up (SU) and 6-1 against the spread (ATS) since Dec. 7. With a capable offense (75.5 points per game) and a good defense (70.2 PPG), the Spartans have leveraged a dip in their schedule. Friday’s game marks MSU’s 1st against a KenPom top-40 foe since Dec. 7.

In their last 4 games, the Illini are 3-1 SU and ATS. Also solid at both ends of the floor (76.9 PPG on offense, 63.8 PPG allowed), Illinois has been a lockdown 5 on its home floor. The Illini are 8-1 at home and have held teams under a 40% effective field-goal rate in 5 of those games.

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Michigan State at Illinois odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:47 a.m. ET.

Moneyline: Michigan State +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Illinois -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Michigan State +6.5 (-110) | Illinois -6.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Michigan State at Illinois picks and predictions

Prediction

Illinois 70, Michigan State 67

Moneyline

Fast-paced Illinois likes to launch a lot of 3s. MSU has a strong — and getting better of late — perimeter defense. The Illini have a rebounding edge, but they also have a turnover problem, and iffy turnover rates were part of the equations in both recent losses (Dec. 22 vs. Missouri and Jan. 4 at Northwestern). Both those foes live in the same neighborhood as Michigan State in analytic measures like KenPom and BartTorvik.

There is solid value in the SPARTANS (+220). They may not be a predicted win, but their chances are better than the 31.25% odds implied by this price.

Against the spread

The Spartans are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games against winning teams. The Fighting Illini are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games against foes playing .600 basketball or better.

MSU plays a slow-down style but is highly efficient on offense. Past Illinois opponents that fit as comparable are Virginia (Nov. 20) and Penn State (Dec. 10). Illinois lost those 2 games SU and by a combined 36.5 points ATS.

Consider a mix of sides backing the Spartans on the ML and — with MICHIGAN STATE +6.5 (-110) — here against the number.

Over/Under

Indicators swing both ways around what looks like a fair number. PASS.

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Illinois at Northwestern odds, picks and predictions

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

The No. 24 Illinois Fighting Illini (9-4, 0-2 Big Ten) meet the Northwestern Wildcats (10-3, 1-1) Wednesday at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Ill. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Illinois vs. Northwestern odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

The Fighting Illini bounced back from a 93-71 shellacking against Missouri in St. Louis on Dec. 22 by posting an 85-52 win against Bethune-Cookman in a tune-up game Thursday. The Under has cashed in 3 of the past 4 games for Illinois.

The Wildcats were hammered by Ohio State on New Year’s Day by a 73-57 score, not even coming close to covering a 2.5-point number as ‘dogs. The loss snapped a 5-game win streak by Northwestern. The Under is 4-1 in the past 5 games overall.

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Illinois at Northwestern odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:05 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Illinois -180 (bet $180 to win $100) | Northwestern +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
Against the spread (ATS): Illinois -3.5 (-115) | Northwestern +3.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 134.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Illinois at Northwestern picks and predictions

Prediction

Illinois 68, Northwestern 63

Moneyline

ILLINOIS (-180) is a solid play on the moneyline if you don’t want to mess around with laying the points in a potentially close and low-scoring game, although it is at my personal limit.

The Illini were the much better team last season than the Wildcats, and Illinois did sweep Northwestern, but the margin of victory was just an average of 5.0 points per game. Illinois has won 8 straight meetings in the series dating back to Jan. 6, 2019, too.

Against the spread

ILLINOIS -3.5 (-115) is the lean here, although you can expect a good sweat. Go lightly, and play just a half-unit wager at most.

While the Illini has won 8 in a row in the series, Northwestern has covered 3 in a row in the series. The good news for potential Illini backers is that Illinois is 4-1 ATS in the past 5 trips to Evanston.

Over/Under

UNDER 132.5 (-105) is the lean here, but like the line, go lightly.

The Under is a perfect 7-for-7 in the previous 7 for the Illini against teams with a winning overall record, and it’s 5-2 in their past 7 games overall.

The Under is 13-3 in the past 16 at Welsh-Ryan the Northwestern, while going 4-1 in the past 5 games overall. The Under is 4-0 in the past 4 against teams with a winning record, too.

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ReliaQuest Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Illinois odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Monday’s Mississippi State vs. Illinois ReliaQuest Bowl odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The No. 23 Mississippi State Bulldogs (8-4) take on the Illinois Fighting Illini (8-4) Monday in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Kickoff from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa is at noon ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Mississippi State vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

Rankings courtesy of AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports

The Mississippi State Bulldogs come into this game after the passing of coach Mike Leach with heavy hearts and determination. The Bulldogs won the Egg Bowl 24-22 at Ole Miss in his final game on Nov. 24. Coach Zach Arnett will take over for this game and has been named the new coach after spending the past 2 seasons as defensive coordinator. While the choice to not go was an option, the Bulldogs players felt it was a proper way to lay tribute to coach Leach by playing in this game.

Illinois will be dealing with opt-outs from 3 of its most important players: twins RB Chase Brown and S Sydney Brown as well as CB Devon Witherspoon. As a run-first team that relied heavily on its secondary, these are massive losses for coach Bret Bielema.

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Mississippi 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 Sunday at 12:23 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Mississippi State -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Illinois +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
Against the spread (ATS): Mississippi State -2.5 (-110) | Illinois +2.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 46 (O: -111 | U: -109)

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Mississippi State vs. Illinois picks and predictions

Prediction

Mississippi State 28, Illinois 17

Moneyline

PASS.

The price the Bulldogs (-135) is solid if you are adding it to a parlay. But Mississippi State should cover the short line here, so I’d rather take the better value on the spread.

Against the spread

BET MISSISSIPPI STATE -2.5 (-110).

QB Will Rodgers will have the benefit of a fuller complement of players in this game. Although leading WR Rara Thomas has entered the transfer portal to head to Georgia, Mississippi State uses enough players on offense to minimize this loss.

Illinois’ opt-outs will be difficult to overcome. I expect Mississippi State to score enough to easily cover this number. MISSISSIPPI STATE -2.5 (-110) is my favorite play in this game.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 46 (-109).

Illinois had a top 5 defense for most of the season in 2022, and that played a major part in the Illini getting to 8-4. However, Witherspoon and Brown aren’t going to be there Monday. Points will be difficult to come by for Illinois as well without Brown leading the ground attack.

Mississippi State will do its bit, but with no run game, the Illini will concentrate on their aerial game and that won’t get this number Over. BET UNDER 46 (-109).

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Illinois vs. Missouri odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Illinois vs. Missouri odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini (8-3) travel to St. Louis to take on the Missouri Tigers (10-1) Thursday at 7 p.m. ET (SEC Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Illinois vs. Missouri odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Missouri is among the highest-scoring teams in the nation, averaging 88.4 points per game, and have a better record than the Illini despite not being ranked. The Tigers only loss this season was a dreadful 95-67 loss to border rival No. 4 Kansas. The Tigers are a solid team and they will look to gain a victory over a ranked opponent on Thursday.

Illinois is led by Terrence Shannon Jr., who averages 17.8 points in 30.8 minutes per game for the Illini. Illinois has played a difficult schedule which includes a loss to Virginia and 2 losses in its 1st 2 Big Ten games to Maryland and Penn State. The Illini will look to beat a high-scoring opponent in Missouri as these 2 schools who are 250 miles apart meet in the middle and settle things on the court.

Ratings courtesy of USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

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Illinois vs. Missouri odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:44 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Illinois -280 (bet $280 to win $100) | Missouri +200 (bet $100 to win $200)
Against the spread (ATS): Illinois -6.5 (-110) | Missouri +6.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 153.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Illinois vs. Missouri picks and predictions

Prediction

Illinois 73, Missouri 64

Moneyline

PASS.

Illinois is a wonderful addition to a parlay at -280 but as for a straight wager, the number is too high to make a bet on. Missouri +200 would be a good payout, but the Tigers are not likely to win this matchup, so the moneyline is a pass for me.

Against the spread

BET ILLINOIS -6.5 (-110).

Missouri has been putting up points. But it has been doing so against inferior competition while Illinois has been playing a more difficult schedule.

The Illini will find this an easier game then those they have played in recent weeks. While the 88.4 points put up on average by Missouri is nice, we just saw it shutdown by Kansas who held them to 67. Illinois can have the same type of success here and Illinois should win this game and cover the spread. Illinois -6.5 (-110) is my favorite play.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 153.5 (-110).

Despite their gaudy average, Missouri games have still only gone Over the total in 7 of 11 games. This is because as good as the offense can be, the defense can also clamp down a bit on opponents.

Illinois has only gone Over the total in 5 of its 11 games. This will be a lower scoring game then most think and I can see this game ending in the 140s. This makes the Under 153.5 (-110) my play.

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Illinois vs. Texas odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Illinois vs. Texas odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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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Illinois at Maryland odds, picks and predictions

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

The No. 17 Illinois Fighting Illini (6-1) travel to College Park to take on the No. 22 Maryland Terrapins (7-0) Friday at 9 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Illinois vs. Maryland odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Rankings courtesy of USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Kevin Willard has the Terps competing again in the Big Ten Conference in his 1st year as coach at Maryland, which has won all 7 of its games by double-digit margins. The Terps easily covered a 13.5-point spread Tuesday in a 79-54 win over a bad Louisville team. Maryland is not just beating teams they should, they are covering the spread and beating them badly.

Illinois has also been good this season. The only loss for the Illini was 70-61 in Las Vegas to No. 3 Virginia. Illinois has won twice since then, including a 73-44 victory over Syracuse on Tuesday as 12.5-point favorites. The biggest challenge for Illinois in this game will be the road conditions. Maryland is tough to beat on its home floor and this is the 1st true road game of the season for the Illini. They will need to conquer not just the Terps hot start, but also the Maryland fans in College Park.

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Illinois at Maryland odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:36 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Illinois +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Maryland -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Illinois +1.5 (-110) | Maryland -1.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Illinois at Maryland picks and predictions

Prediction

Maryland 72, Illinois 67

Moneyline

LEAN MARYLAND -125. Maryland is on a roll to start the season, winning all 7 of its games by 10-plus points, and the Terps should take care of the visiting Illini in this game. If you are a little hesitant of taking the points, -125 on the ML is also an acceptable wager on this game.

Against the spread

BET MARYLAND -1.5 (-110).

If you are willing to take a smaller chance then the ML, I like the Terps to cover the small number listed here.

Maryland is 6-1 covering the number this season and with this being the 1st road test for Illinois, this will be a tough game to win.

Maryland would be ranked higher then 22 if the team had preseason hype. Pundits did not know what to make of the Terps under a new coach. They are better then many thought and will show it again on Friday. Maryland -1.5 (-110) is my favorite play.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 145.5 (-115).

These 2 teams have combined for 7 overs and 7 under in the 14 games this season. Maryland, the home team, will want to control the pace and play a lower scoring game then the Illini. This is likely to happen, and Illinois will also have no trouble slowing the game down a bit.

But 145.5 is too high for this game and if it stays above 143, take Under 145.5 (-115).

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Syracuse at Illinois odds, picks and predictions

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

The Syracuse Orange (3-3) and No. 17 Illinois Fighting Illini (5-1) meet Tuesday in Champaign as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Opening tip at the State Farm Center is at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Syracuse vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Syracuse has lost back-to-back close games. On Saturday, the favored-by-9.5 Orange were downed by Bryant 73-72 after losing 76-69 in overtime to St. John’s the game before. SU shot 39.1% from 3-point range in its first 4 games; it has shot just 22.5% in 2 games since.

The Fighting Illini lost 70-61 to No. 3 Virginia on Nov. 20, but bounced back Friday as a -32.5 favorite in a 92-59 win over Lindenwood. Fast-paced Illinois has scored over 85 points in 4 of 6 games.

Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

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Syracuse at Illinois odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:31 a.m. ET.

Moneyline: Syracuse +520 (bet $100 to win $520) | Illinois -850 (bet $850 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Syracuse +12.5 (-115) | Illinois -12.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Syracuse at Illinois picks and predictions

Prediction

Illinois 77, Syracuse 67

Moneyline

PASS. Unless you think Syracuse can win there there’s nothing here.

Against the spread

The Fighting Illini are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight-up win. This UI bunch is new: Only 3 players returned from last year’s team and none were starters. And their turnover rate is Syracuse’s way to staying within a dozen points, if not to victory. KenPom pegs Illinois’s turnover rate as 306th in the nation.

Look for Syracuse to leverage those miscues, its slower pace, and its unique 2-3 defense in keeping this game within a couple or 3 possessions for much of the way. In their last 5 Quadrant-1 games last season, the Orange logged 1 blowout loss (against Duke) and 4 losses of 12 points or closer.

BACK SYRACUSE +12.5 (-115).

Over/Under

Peg 3-happy Illinois as being due some regression in its shooting numbers both beyond and in front of the perimeter arc. UI has played a couple of slow teams (Virginia, Missouri-Kansas City) and SU has played a couple rabbit fives (Bryant, St. John’s). The combined record on the totals has the Under at 4-0.

TAKE THE UNDER 145.5 (-115).

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Virginia vs. Illinois odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Virginia vs. Illinois odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The No.14 Virginia Cavaliers (3-0) will take on the No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0) in Las Vegas Sunday at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Virginia vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

After cancelling a game earlier in the week because of a shooting on its campus, Virginia came out Friday with an emphatic 86-79 win over 6th-ranked Baylor as a 4.5-point underdog. The victory against the Bears means a title game against Illinois in the Continental Tire Main Event tournament.

Illinois played its own superb game Friday, winning 79-70 and covering as a 3.5-point underdog against No. 7 UCLA.

In what should be another great matchup, this game is going to be lower scoring then Friday’s games. But it will still be fun as 2 of the top teams in the country face off.

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Virginia 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 11:11 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Virginia -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Illinois -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Virginia +1.5 (-115) | Illinois -1.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 132.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Virginia vs. Illinois picks and predictions

Prediction

Virginia 75, Illinois 70

Moneyline

BACK VIRGINIA (-105).

Virginia looked good in its win over Baylor, but Illinois looked good too in its win over a talented UCLA squad. The Cavaliers have shown an ability to play all types of basketball this season. Whether they want to slow down the game to a snail’s pace or speed it up a bit, the Cavaliers have been adaptable.

VIRGINIA (-105) is my FAVORITE PLAY.

Against the spread

PASS.

Unless you want the security of taking 1.5 points with Virginia, stick to the ML play above.

This should be a great game between 2 top-20 teams.

Over/Under

LEAN OVER 132.5 (-115).

While Virginia can play at all speeds as needed, its preferred speed is slow which could lead to an Under in this game. But Illinois will increase the pace enough where Virginia will need to score some to win. It may not be the high-scoring affair of both teams’ 1st games in this Las Vegas 4-team tourney, but it should be high scoring enough to go over the total.

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College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

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UCLA vs. Illinois odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s UCLA vs. Illinois odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The No. 7 UCLA Bruins (3-0) and 20th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini (3-0) face off in Las Vegas Friday at 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the UCLA vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Both have yet to play a game off their home court this season, which changes in this 4-team tourney at T-Mobile Arena that also includes No. 6 Baylor and 14th-ranked Virginia. Championship and consolation games are Sunday.

UCLA’s 3 victories — each by a minimum of 24 points — came against Sacramento State, Long Beach State and Norfolk State. The Bruins scored 76, 93 and 86 points, respectively, in those contests.

Illinois scored 87, 86 and 103 points in its first 3 games against Eastern Illinois, Kansas City and Monmouth, respectively. All 3 wins were by 30 points or more, helping the Illini break into the Top 25.

With neither team really being tested yet, there is an unknown of how good either is. UCLA has the talent to win this game, but so does Illinois. This will be a fun game and it will go a long way to show if either of these teams should be considered for national championship contention heading into conference play.

Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

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UCLA 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 3:43 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): UCLA -170 (bet $170 to win $100) | Illinois +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
Against the spread (ATS): UCLA -3.5 (-105) | Illinois +3.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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UCLA vs. Illinois picks and predictions

Prediction

UCLA 80, Illinois 75

Moneyline

PASS.

With UCLA (-170) likely to win, the juice is not worth the wager to win this bet. If you like Illinois (+135), backing it’s ML is certainly the way to go.

Against the spread

BET UCLA -3.5 (-105).

UCLA has been challenged slightly more than Illinois early in the season. While this may seem counter intuitive, it will matter and will allow the Bruins to pull away at the end of the game.

Illinois has not broken a sweat in any of its first 3 games. In a game which the Illini have less talent than their opponent for the first time, the Illini will shrivel, and the Bruins will win and cover the -3.5 number.

Over/Under

BET OVER 145.5 (-110).

Scoring for either team will not be a problem.

The Illini have averaged 92.0 points per game and the Bruins 85.0 PPG to start the season. While I do not see either team getting to their averages since those early games were against cupcakes, 145.5 is still too low for this game.

Both teams will want to make a splash and show off what they are capable. Shots will be flying and enough will go in to hit OVER 145.5 (-110), which is my FAVORITE PLAY.

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If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

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College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

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