Tag: Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini odds predictions pick betting line spread

Big Ten Tournament: Nebraska vs. Illinois odds, picks and predictions

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

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The Nebraska Cornhuskers (23-9) battle the No. 14 Illinois Fighting Illini (24-8) Saturday in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament. Tip-off from Target Center in Minneapolis is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Nebraska vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

The 3rd-seeded Cornhuskers destroyed the No. 6 seed Indiana Hoosiers 93-64 Friday night in the quarterfinals. They easily covered the spread as 5.5-point favorites, and the Over (146.5) cashed. Junior G Brice Williams and senior G Keisei Tominaga each scored 23 points in the victory. Nebraska as a team hit 14 three-pointers.

This is the 1st time the Cornhuskers have reached the semifinals of the tournament since they entered the conference in 1998.

The Illinois Fighting Illini, the 2nd seed in the tournament, got 2 clutch free throws from senior F Coleman Hawkins to put them in the lead for good with 1:15 remaining in a 77-74 win over Ohio State Friday. They failed to cover as 5-point favorites, and the Over (149.5) hit. First-team All-Big Ten G Terrence Shannon Jr. continued his historic season with another epic performance, finishing with 28 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

The Fighting Illini are looking to win the tournament title for the 1st time since 2021.

Nebraska lost 87-84 in overtime to Illinois Feb. 4 in their only meeting this season. The Cornhuskers did cover the spread as 10-point underdogs, and the Over (154.5) cashed.

– Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

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Nebraska vs. Illinois odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:30 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Nebraska +162 (bet $100 to win $162) | Illinois -196 (bet $196 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Nebraska +4.5 (-110) | Illinois -4.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 153.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Nebraska vs. Illinois picks and predictions

Prediction

Illinois 78, Nebraska 72

Moneyline

PASS.

I’m never going to recommend you to bet almost 2 units to win 1. Illinois (-196) will win this game, but I’m going to look to the spread for my wager.

Against the spread

BET ILLINOIS -4.5 (-110).

The Fighting Illini have owned the Cornhuskers. They’ve beaten them 9 of the last 10 meetings and covered the spread in 7 of those games. Nebraska did cover in the Feb. 4 meeting despite Illinois winning the game in overtime.

This game comes down to Nebraska’s shooting. If it is hitting its 3s, it is very hard to beat — like what we saw against the Hoosiers Friday night. I believe Illinois’ defense will do a better job of controlling the perimeter. The Fighting Illini will play in their 2nd Big Ten championship game in the last 4 years.

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Over/Under

BET UNDER 153.5 (-110).

These teams have been Under in 7 of their last 10 head-to-head matchups. Books wants you to take the Over with the way this line is set because Illinois has done it in 8 of its last 10. However, this is the Big Ten Tournament on a neutral court; all the rules are thrown out the window.

Don’t take the bait. I like the Fighting Illini to cool down the Cornhuskers shooters and keep this game under the total.

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Nebraska at Illinois odds, picks and predictions

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

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The Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) take on the Illinois Fighting Illini (2-3, 0-2) in Champaign Friday at 8 p.m. ET (FS1). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Nebraska vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

As both teams have had disappointing starts, there’s still more than half the season to be played with aspirations of making a bowl game.

Nebraska is coming off a 45-7 loss as a 17.5-point home underdog to Michigan. The Cornhuskers will look to get their offense going against an Illini defense which has underperformed after losing defensive coordinator Ryan Walters, who took the coaching job at Purdue back in December.

As a matter of fact, the Illini just lost a 1-point road favorites to the Boilermakers 44-19 last Saturday. Illinois only trailed 16-13 at the half, but Purdue scored 21 unanswered points in the 3rd quarter to put the game away.

Something will have to give here. Nebraska averages 18.8 points per game, ranking 120th in the country, according to NCAA.org. The Illinois defense yields 30.6 PPT to rank 102nd.

Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports

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Nebraska at 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 6:23 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Nebraska +136 (bet $100 to win $136) | Illinois -164 (bet $164 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Nebraska +3.5 (-115) | Illinois -3.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 43.5 (O: -102 | U: -120)

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Nebraska at Illinois picks and predictions

Prediction

Illinois 23, Nebraska 20

Moneyline

BET ILLINOIS (-164) to be safe in this matchup.

Nebraska did not show much life against Michigan in the 45-7 loss, though the Wolverines are certainly a better team and have been beating all their opponents in similar fashion. However, the Nebraska offense has struggled this season, averaging just 18.8 PPG as mentioned.

In Illinois’ biggest challenge, it was able to hang with current No. 6 Penn State for a while before losing 30-13 as a 14-poing home underdog — the Illini trailed 16-7 at the half. Had QB Luke Altmyer not thrown 4 picks, Illinois would have had a chance to pull off the upset.

With this game being in Champaign, Illinois deserves the wager, but laying 3.5 points between these two Big Ten rivals is tricky. Although, there’s more juice to pay, TAKING THE FIGHTING ILLINI (-164) is the safer and better play vs. the betting the spread. Adding the ML play to a parlay would be alright, too.

Against the spread

PASS.

Neither team is good this season. Making a spread wager on either is risky. This will be a rock fight and will end close to the number. No matter who wins, it’s safer to make a ML wager.

Over/Under

BACK UNDER 43.5 (-120).

I already mentioned Nebraska only scores 18.8 PPG. Well, Illinois only averages 21.6 PPG to rank 103rd..

Neither of these offenses is explosive and both will look to run the ball and wind down the clock. Expect an old-fashioned Big Ten slugfest in the trenches with the winner barely getting to 20 points.

UNDER 43.5 (-120) is the value play.

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Nebraska at Illinois odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Nebraska Cornhuskers at Illinois Fighting Illini matchup, with college football odds, lines, picks, predictions and best bets.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Illinois Fighting Illini kick off the Big Ten season with a Week 0 matchup at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., Saturday. Kick off is set for 1 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Nebraska vs. Illinois odds and lines, and make our best college football picks, predictions and bets.

Nebraska enters year four under head coach Scott Frost, whose results both on the field (12-20 since 2018) and off (under NCAA investigation for “improper use of analysts and consultants”) have Cornhuskers faithful feeling uneasy.

Bret Bielema makes his return to the Big Ten as Illinois’ head coach, replacing Lovie Smith. Bielema had plenty of success at Wisconsin from 2006-2012, but this is a multi-year rebuild given the Fighting Illini went 17-39 during Smith’s five-year tenure, and 2-6 last season.

Illinois beat Nebraska handily last year, 41-23, though Nebraska won the previous two matchups in 2018 and 2019 under Frost.

Nebraska at Illinois odds, spread and lines

Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 10:15 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Nebraska -280 (bet $280 to win $100) | Illinois +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Nebraska -7.5 (+100) | Illinois +7.5 (-125)
  • Total (Over/Under): 54.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Nebraska at Illinois odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Nebraska 31, Illinois 20

Money line

We can’t totally ignore Illinois’ upset of Nebraska in 2020, but QB Taylor Martinez didn’t start for Nebraska and these teams went in opposite directions after that game. Nebraska covered the spread in three of its last four games and won two, while Illinois lost its final three games by an average of over 20 points.

PASS on the money line and go for better odds on Nebraska against the spread.

Against the spread

Offseason transitions matter this early in the season. Bielema should be a solid long-term hire for Illinois, but molding an Illini team that finished 111th in scoring offense (20.1 points per game) and tied for 94th in scoring defense (34.9 PPG) into a contender won’t happen overnight.

Meanwhile, Nebraska’s offense shouldn’t skip a beat with Martinez back for his fourth season with a ton of returning production on defense. Take NEBRASKA -7.5 (+100) to avenge last year’s loss with relative ease.

Over/Under

Illinois might be able to run the ball effectively—it returns a number of pieces from last year’s top-35 rushing offense—as the Illini implement Bielema’s power-run, ball-control philosophy that should eat up some clock. Nebraska hit the Under in each of its last four games in 2020.

Take the UNDER 54.5 (-110) in what should be a slower-paced game as both teams work out the early kinks.

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Nebraska Cornhuskers at Illinois Fighting Illini odds and lines: Huskers favored in Big Ten opener

Looking at the college football odds and lines for Saturday’s Nebraska Cornhuskers at Illinois Fighting Illini season opener matchup.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Illinois Fighting Illini open the 2021 college football season Saturday. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. is set for 1 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Nebraska at Illinois odds and lines; check back for our college football picks and predictions.

The Cornhuskers posted a 3-5 record last season, and they hope things will be easier in 2021 despite the fact their schedule is rated as the Big Ten’s toughest. QB Adrian Martinez is back under center for his fourth season.

The Illini sacked head coach Lovie Smith after posting a 17-39 record in five seasons. Hope springs eternal as head coach Bret Bielema is back in the Big Ten trying to lead a turnaround after several strong seasons at the helm in Wisconsin.

These teams played last season, with Illinois posting a 41-23 victory in Lincoln on Nov. 21.

Nebraska at Illinois: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 7:45 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Nebraska -280 (bet $280 to win $100) | Illinois +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Nebraska -6.5, -122 (bet $122 to win $100) | Illinois +6.5, -102 (bet $102 to win $100)
  • Total: 54.5, Over -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Under -105 (bet $105 to win $100)

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2020 Betting stats:

  • ATS: Nebraska 4-4 | Illinois 3-5
  • O/U: Nebraska 1-7 | Illinois 4-4

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The Cornhuskers are road favorites with an implied win probability of 73.68%. Their -280 money line odds can be expressed as a fraction of 5/14 or a decimal of 1.357. Nebraska will need to win by 7 or more points in order to cover the spread.

The Fighting Illini must lose by 6 or fewer points, or win outright, in order to cover the spread. Their +220 odds represent an implied win probability of 31.25%.

The Cornhuskers and Fighting Illini must combine to score 55 or more points for a bet on the Over 55.5 to cash. A point total of 54 or fewer points is a win for the Under. The odds price the Over as the more likely result on the projected total.

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Nebraska at Illinois odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Thursday’s Nebraska at Illinois odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks, tips and predictions.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-16 overall, 1-13 Big Ten) visit the Illinois Fighting Illini (16-6, 12-4) in a Thursday evening (7 p.m. ET) contest at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill. Below, we analyze the Nebraska-Illinois college basketball odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Illinois is No. 4 in the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Nebraska at Illinois: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:50 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Nebraska +850 (bet $100 to win $850) | Illinois -1600 (bet $1,600 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Nebraska +14.5 (-110) | Illinois -14.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 145.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Nebraska at Illinois: Three things to know

  1. Illinois is coming off a shaky, 81-72, loss at Michigan State Tuesday. The Spartans shot 54.2% from the floor against a U of I defense that has scuffled on the road.
  2. Nebraska played Illinois tough at home Feb. 12. The favored-by-14 Illini won, 77-72, in a game that went to overtime. The ‘Huskers led or were tied for approximately 30 minutes in that contest.
  3. Illinois G Ayo Dosunmu ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring at 21.0 points per game. Dosunmu went 12-for-23 from the floor and dished out six assists in a 31-point performance against the Cornhuskers Feb. 12.

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Nebraska at Illinois: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Illinois 81, Nebraska 63

Money line (ML)

PASS. Move along and find a bit of value on Illinois against the number.

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Against the spread (ATS)

Illinois is 8-4 ATS at home, and the home team is 4-1 ATS in the last five games of this series. The Illini’s defense has been much better on home hardwood. NU is just 1-7 on the road.

The Illini can struggle against good offensive rebounding teams. Nebraska put up a fight in that facet of the game in meeting No. 1, but hitting the glass is not at all an overall strength for the ‘Huskers.

Look for UI to bounce back from its first loss since mid-January. TAKE ILLINOIS -14.5 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

The last half-dozen times the Illini have lost straight-up, the following game has hit the Over five times. And that’s the lean here, but STEER CLEAR. A 142-to-147 total looks to be highly likely, but there isn’t enough value to warrant any action at 145.5.

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