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The Illinois Fighting Illini (26-8) battle the Morehead State Eagles (26-8) in the 1st round of the East Region Thursday from CHI Health Center Omaha. Tip is set for 3:10 p.m. ET (truTV). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Morehead State vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Illinois is No. 10 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. It won the Big Ten Tournament, defeating the No. 24 Wisconsin Badgers 93-87 in the championship game and covering as a 4-point favorite. The Fighting Illini covered in 2 of the 3 tournament games and ended the regular season 17-12-2 against the spread (ATS). They have covered in 7 of their last 11 games. Illinois is the No. 3 seed in the East Region.
Morehead State comes in as the 14th seed in the region and have won 6 straight games. It won the Ohio Valley Conference, beating the Little Rock Trojans 69-55 in the final and covering as a 4.5-point favorite. The Eagles ended the tournament 2-1 ATS and ended the regular season 16-10-1 ATS. During the regular season, Morehead State was led in scoring by Riley Minix at 20.5 points per game.
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Morehead State vs. Illinois odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 2:23 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Morehead State +575 (bet $100 to win $575) | Illinois -850 (bet $850 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Morehead State +11.5 (-102) | Illinois -11.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 147.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Morehead State vs. Illinois picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 82, Morehead State 67
Moneyline
PASS.
Illinois has one of the best offenses in the NCAA (84.4 PPG), and it should be able put it on Morehead State Thursday. However, at -850, avoid a moneyline play on the favorite.
Against the spread
BET ILLINOIS -11.5 (-120).
The Fighting Illini have been rolling, beating the Badgers by 6 in the Big Ten Championship and the Nebraska Cornhuskers by 11 in the game prior. They have won 7 of their last 8 games and have covered in 5 of them. Morehead State is one of the worst teams in the tournament, outside the top 100 in both adjusted offensive and defensive rating per Kenpom.
While Illinois’ defense is lacking, it ranks 3rd in offensive rating and will be tough to keep pace with. The Eagles have played 2 quality, high-seeded teams this season and lost to Purdue by 30 points and to Alabama by 32, failing to cover in both.
Expect another blowout here and take ILLINOIS -11.5 (-120).
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Over/Under
LEAN OVER 147.5 (-105).
Morehead State isn’t great at either offense or defense, but Illinois is a poor defensive team which is of note. It sits 93rd in adjusted defensive rating and has allowed at least 87 points in 2 straight games. It has allowed at least 74 in 9 of its last 10.
Morehead State has gone Over in 5 of its last 8 while Illinois has gone Over in 3 straight and in 12 of its last 14. Considering those trends, take OVER 147.5 (-105).
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