[gambcom-standard rankid=”4141″ ]
The Illinois Fighting Illini (7-3) head to St. Louis for the annual Braggin’ Rights game against the Missouri Tigers (10-1) Sunday. Tip-off from Enterprise Center is set for 1 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Illinois vs. Missouri odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
The Illini have traded wins and losses in the last 4 games, which has contributed to their descent out of the Top 25. They pushed as 2-point dogs in a 66-64 defeat against the newly crowned No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers Dec. 14. G Kasparas Jakucionis did his part with 22 points but was just 5-for-15 from the floor.
The Tigers are still runnin’ wild after taking down then-No. 1 Kansas Dec. 8. They’ve won 10 straight after plucking the Jacksonville State Gamecocks Tuesday 83-72. G Mark Mitchell had 18 points, 6 boards, 6 dimes and 3 blocks. They failed to cover for the second straight game, though, with bars set at -27.5 and -16.5.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Illinois vs. Missouri 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 Saturday at 5:10 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Illinois -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Missouri +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Against the spread: Illinois -3.5 (-110) | Missouri +3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 154.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
[gambcom-standard rankid=”4132″ ]
Illinois vs. Missouri picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 91, Missouri 85
Moneyline
This is the hottest ticket in town even after Justin Timberlake had a concert in the building Thursday night. These teams have traded wins in the last 4 meetings with Illinois coming out on top last season 97-73.
This is a different Mizzou squad, though, that’s feelin’ themselves after beating KU. It will be the Tigers’ first real test aside from that Kansas game, as they’ve had a cupcake schedule otherwise.
I like Illinois here, but not at -150. I’ll lay the points instead.
PASS.
Against the spread
Illinois is more battle-tested and has the edge in talent. Mizzou’s record looks sexy, but again, it hasn’t played anyone besides Kansas.
Take ILLINOIS -3.5 (-110).
Over/Under
The Illini are 4-6 O/U, and Mizzou is 7-4 O/U thus far. The last 4 meetings have gone Over, and these teams come in with a ton of confidence. This event has sold out, and tickets are a little pricey on resale sites. So this is going to be an electric atmosphere. You can bet on these teams runnin’ and gunnin’.
Take the OVER 154.5 (-110).
[gambcom-standard rankid=”6305″ ]
Want to play some games of your own? Play for free at the best social casinos and enjoy lots of slots, blackjack, video poker, roulette and more. You can even earn real prizes!
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Ryan Dodson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Duke / Florida / Florida State / Georgia / Iowa / Kentucky / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / UCLA / USC / Washington / Wisconsin / Recruiting / Transfer portal / College Football Playoffs / College Sports Wire / High School
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]
