Fairleigh Dickinson at Illinois odds, picks and predictions
The Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (6-7) head to State Farm Center to face the No. 9 Illinois Fighting Illini (9-2) Friday at 9 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Fairleigh Dickinson vs. Illinois odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Fairleigh Dickinson dropped its 2nd straight game with a 92-69 loss vs. the Fairfield Stags Dec. 21. It did not cover as a 2.5-point home underdog, and the Over (155) hit. Sophomore F Jo'el Emanuel led all Knights in scoring with 18 points. They also got 15 points and 9 rebounds from junior F Ansley Almonor. The Knights have lost 6 of their last 8 games as they head to Champaign to face the Illini.
Illinois, which is No. 9 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll, beat the Missouri Tigers 97-73 for its 7th victory in its last 8 games. It covered the spread as a 6-point favorite on a neutral court, and the Over (149.5) hit. Senior G Terrence Shannon Jr. had a huge double-double performance with 30 points and 11 rebounds. It also got 28 points and 8 boards from senior G Quincy Guerrier. The Fighting Illini are one of the better defensive teams in the country, holding opponents to just 65 points per game.
The last time these teams met was on March 17, 2005, in the NCAA Tournament. Illinois defeated Fairleigh Dickinson 67-55.
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Fairleigh Dickinson 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 5:39 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Fairleigh Dickinson +3000 (bet $100 to win $3,000) | Illinois -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Fairleigh Dickinson +25.5 (-104) | Illinois -25.5 (-118)
- Over/Under (O/U): 161.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Fairleigh Dickinson at Illinois picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 90, Fairleigh Dickinson 63
Moneyline
PASS.
You should obviously avoid betting Illinois (-10000) because the odds are outrageous. Go look at the spread if you want to make a bet.
Against the spread
BET ILLINOIS -25.5 (-118).
Illinois has been stellar this season at covering the spread because of its defensive prowess. It's tied with Air Force and McNeese State allowing the 37th-fewest points on average at 65 per game. Illinois is 6-0-1 ATS over its last 7. The Fighting Illini were giving 20 or more points in 2 of those games.
Fairleigh Dickinson is 2-4 ATS in its last 6.
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Over/Under
BET UNDER 161.5 (-110).
I think this line is set entirely too high. I know both teams average 81 points per game, but I can almost guarantee that the Knights don't even come close to that number against Illinois.
The Over has hit in 3 of Illinois' last 4 games, but each of those lines were set under 150. One Illinois game was set above 150 this season, and it went Under.
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