Illinois at Penn State odds, picks and predictions

Seth Orlemann | Staff Writer

The Illinois Fighting Illini (19-6, 10-4 Big Ten) visit the Penn State Nittany Lions (12-14, 6-9) Wednesday. Tip from Bryce Jordan Center is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Illinois vs. Penn State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

Illinois has won back-to-back games after beating Maryland 85-80 Saturday to cover as a 3-point road favorite. G Terrence Shannon Jr. scored a team-high 27 points while F Marcus Domask (19 points, 12 rebounds) had a double-double. In total, 4 Illinois players scored in double figures while the team shot 48% from the field in the win.

Penn State has lost 3 games in a row after falling 68-49 against Nebraska Saturday and failing to cover as an 8.5-point underdog. F Zach Hicks scored a team-high 13 points while G Ace Baldwin Jr. (10 points) was the only other player to score in double-digits. The Nittany Lions shot 33.3% from the field and 21.7% from 3 in the loss.

Illinois is No. 12 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll.

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Illinois at Penn State odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:35 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Illinois -350 (bet $350 to win $100) | Penn State +270 (bet $100 to win $270)
Against the spread (ATS): Illinois -7.5 (-110) | Penn State +7.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 157.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Illinois at Penn State picks and predictions

Prediction

Illinois 83, Penn State 76

Moneyline

PASS.

There is no value in betting Illinois (-350), which is 7-3 in its last 10, to beat this Penn State team that is 4-6 in its last 10, including 1-2 in its last 3 home games.

Against the spread

LEAN PENN STATE +8.5 (-110).

While Illinois is the better team, it has failed to cover as a favorite in 4 of its last 7 games, including 2 of its last 4 on the road.

Penn State has covered in 4 of its last 6 games and in 6 of its last 10, all as an underdog. It is 3-1 ATS in its last 4 games as an underdog of 7 or more points.

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Over/Under

BET OVER 157.5 (-110).

Illinois has a 17-8 Over record this season, while Penn State's is 16-10. Illinois has hit the Over in 9 of its last 10 games. It has scored at least 80 points in each of its last 5 games and in 8 of its last 10.

Penn State has hit the Over in 6 of its last 10 games, including each of its last 4 at home. It has scored at least 72 points in 3 of its last 5 games and in 6 of its last 10.

Get ready, North Carolina!

Online sports betting begins March 11

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