The No. 25 Iowa Hawkeyes (22-8, 12-7 Big Ten) visit the State Farm Center to take on the No. 17 Illinois Fighting Illini (21-8, 14-5). Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Iowa vs. Illinois odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Iowa has covered 4 of its last 6 games and 6 of its last 8. On the season, the Hawkeyes are 18-12 against the spread (ATS).
Iowa is led by F Keegan Murray, who is averaging 23.3 points per game. As a team, the Hawkeyes average 83.6 points per game, fifth-best in the nation. Iowa is just 6-5 straight up on the road.
While Iowa’s season-long ATS record is the best in the conference, it is just 10-9 ATS in Big Ten games. Illinois, however, is 9-10 ATS in conference games.
The Fighting Illini are 12-3 at home this season, but just 7-7 as a home favorite. Illinois averages 76.3 points per game, good for 53rd-best in the nation.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Iowa at Illinois odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:30 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Iowa +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Illinois -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Iowa +3.5 (-110) | Illinois -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 154.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Iowa at Illinois odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 80, Iowa 78
Money line
PASS.
Illinois should come out on top, but at -190, I wouldn’t bet on it. They do have 3 losses at home as well. On the other hand, Iowa is 1-4 straight up against ranked opponents.
I’d stay away from the money line in general.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to IOWA +3.5 (-110).
Iowa has been far better at covering this season than Illinois.
The Hawkeyes are 18-12 ATS on the season as compared to the Fighting Illini’s 13-16 ATS. Illinois is just 2-5 ATS over its last 7 and has also failed to cover its last 3 home games.
Iowa is coming off an 11-point win as road underdogs against Michigan. The Hawkeyes are also 6-5 ATS on the road.
Illinois has its fourth-leading scorer G Jacob Grandison listed as questionable as well, so if he can’t play, someone will need to step up offensively.
Over/Under
BET on the OVER 154.5 (-110).
Both Illinois (70.3) and Iowa (72.6) rank in the top half of the nation in possessions per game.
Both teams should be looking to get out and run, especially Iowa, which sits top 68th in possessions per game and will look to tire out Illinois big man Kofi Cockburn. The Illini center averages 21 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
Murray leads the Hawkeyes in rebounds per game, and he stands just 6-foot-8. Iowa’s five top minutes leaders all are under 6-foot-10. I expect Cockburn to be able to dominant as well as potentially be exposed defensively.
Iowa is 19-10-1 O/U while Illinois is 17-11-1 O/U this season.
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