Valparaiso at Illinois odds, picks and predictions
The No. 23 Illinois Fighting Illini (2-1) welcome the Valparaiso Crusaders (2-1) to the State Farm Center Friday. Tip is set for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Valparaiso vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Illinois, which is No. 23 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll, is coming off its 1st loss of the season — a 71-64 home loss as a 1-point favorite to the No. 4 Marquette Golden Eagles. It is 0-3 against the spread (ATS) through 3 games and 0-2 ATS as a favorite of 20 or more points. Illinois is also 0-3 O/U and is led by G Terrence Shannon Jr, who is averaging 17.3 points per game.
Valparaiso, which plays in the Missouri Valley Conference, is also 2-1 through 3 games, with its lone loss coming in a 66-56 home defeat to IUPUI last Friday. It is 1-1 ATS this season — its 100-61 victory vs. Trinity Christian on Nov. 6 was in a game that wasn't on the board. Valparaiso is 0-2 O/U and led by F Isaiah Stafford, who is averaging 16.7 points per game.
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Valparaiso at Illinois odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Valparaiso +4000 (bet $100 to win $4,000) | Illinois -50000 (bet $50,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Valparaiso +29.5 (-110) | Illinois -29.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 135.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Valparaiso at Illinois picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 71, Valparaiso 55
Moneyline
AVOID.
Unfortunately, there's nothing to see here. Pass here as Illinois isn't worth it as a -50000 favorite.
Against the spread
LEAN VALPARAISO +29.5 (-110).
There's no real reason to believe Illinois can cover a spread of this size. It is 0-3 ATS this season, and what's more concerning is that in a similar game — a matchup with Oakland on Nov. 10 — the Fighting Illini won 64-53, failing to cover as 24.5-point favorites.
Valparaiso has yet to be an underdog this season, so it hasn't been tested at this level. The Crusaders beat Green Bay Phoenix 64-59 Tuesday and covered as 3.5-point favorites. They have 4 players that average 8 or more points, and Illinois has just 2.
The Crusaders' depth should aid their success. Expect a cover here. Take VALPARAISO +29.5 (-110).
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Over/Under
BET UNDER 135.5 (-105).
Illinois is 0-3 O/U, and it hasn't been particularly close in most matchups. It has 2 top-heavy scorers and not much after that. Illinois has yet to top 80 points and has scored 64 in 2 of its last 3 games. The scoring prowess just isn't there, but it has held two opponents to 55 or fewer.
Valparaiso is 0-2 O/U and has yet to score more than 65 points in a game with a total. In those 2 games that were on the board, it is averaging just 60.0 points and allowing 62.5. Neither team is explosive on the offensive end, and both have shown competent defenses.
Take UNDER 135.5 (-105).
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