Rutgers at Illinois odds, picks and predictions
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-7, 2-4 Big Ten) visit the No. 14 Illinois Fighting Illini (13-4, 4-2) Sunday. Tip-off from State Farm Center is set for 1 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Rutgers vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Rutgers won 87-82 in OT vs. the Nebraska Cornhuskers Wednesday while covering as a 3-point home favorite. Rutgers, which allows only 65.4 points per game, has allowed 80-plus points in 2 of its last 4 games. The Scarlet Knights have won back-to-back home games, but are 0-3 in their last 3 true road games.
Illinois, which is No. 14 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll, picked up an 88-73 win over the Michigan Wolverines Thursday while covering as a 2.5-point road favorite. Illinois continues to be a top team in the nation offensively, averaging 82.1 PPG. The Fighting Illini have won 3 of the last 5.
Illinois beat Rutgers 76-58 on Dec. 2 at Jersey Mike's Arena.
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Rutgers 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 7:08 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rutgers +590 (bet $100 to win $590) | Illinois -900 (bet $900 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rutgers +12.5 (-110) | Illinois -12.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Rutgers at Illinois picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 78, Rutgers 65
Moneyline
PASS.
Illinois (-900) will pick up the win here, but is not worth betting on as such a heavy favorite. Bet on the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
LEAN ILLINOIS -12.5 (-110).
Illinois has covered ATS in back-to-back matchups vs. Rutgers and is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 meetings with the Scarlet Knights. Illinois is also 7-1-2 ATS in its last 10 overall and is the much better ATS team this year. being 10-5-2 while Rutgers is 8-9.
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Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 145.5 (-110).
The Under has hit in 2 of Rutgers' last 3 games and has been the much safer play for the Scarlet Knights this year (12-5). The Under has also hit in 3 consecutive meetings between these squads.
I like this Illinois defense to hold this weak Rutgers offensive team to less than 70 points, which makes this game very likely to hit the Under. But it is only a lean because the Over has been safer for the Fighting Illini recently and overall this year (9-7-1).
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