Penn State vs Illinois Big Ten Tournament odds, tips and betting trends
The Illinois Fighting Illini (20-11, 11-9 Big Ten) play the Penn State Nittany Lions (19-12, 10-10 Big Ten) in the Big Ten Tournament Thursday at United Center, beginning at 6:30 PM on Big Ten Network. Watch as both teams look to take one step closer to securing an automatic place in the NCAA Tournament bracket.
The matchup between the Fighting Illini and the Nittany Lions currently has no line set.
Illinois has put together an 18-13-0 record against the spread this season, while Penn State is 16-14-1. In terms of going over the point total, games involving the Fighting Illini are 14-17-0 and the Nittany Lions are 17-14-0. Illinois is 5-5 against the spread and 5-5 overall over its past 10 games, while Penn State has gone 4-5-1 against the spread and 5-5 overall.
Here is what you need to get ready for Thursday’s college basketball matchup.
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Illinois vs. Penn State prediction
Illinois 71, Penn State 70
Against the spread
- Illinois has won 18 games against the spread this season, while failing to cover 13 times.
- Penn State has won 16 games against the spread this season, while failing to cover or pushing 15 times.
- The 74.6 points per game the Fighting Illini put up are 6.4 more points than the Nittany Lions allow (68.2).
- Illinois has a 16-5 record against the spread and a 17-4 record overall when scoring more than 68.2 points.
- Penn State is 14-9-1 against the spread and 17-7 overall when giving up fewer than 74.6 points.
- The Nittany Lions’ 72.4 points per game are 5.8 more points than the 66.6 the Fighting Illini allow.
- Penn State is 15-5-1 against the spread and 17-4 overall when it scores more than 66.6 points.
- Illinois has an ATS record of 15-7 and an 18-4 record overall when its opponents score fewer than 72.4 points.
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Players to watch
Illinois
- Terrence Shannon Jr. paces his squad in both points (17.1) and assists (2.9) per contest, and also posts 4.7 rebounds. At the other end, he delivers 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocked shots.
- Matthew Mayer is putting up 13.0 points, 1.2 assists and 5.4 rebounds per contest.
- Coleman Hawkins is tops on his squad in both rebounds (6.4) and assists (3.0) per contest, and also puts up 9.6 points. Defensively, he delivers 1.0 steal and 1.2 blocked shots.
Penn State
- Jalen Pickett tops the Nittany Lions in scoring (18.0 points per game), rebounding (7.3) and assists (7.0), shooting 52.8% from the floor and 39.3% from 3-point range with 1.4 triples per contest. He also averages 1.0 steal and 0.5 blocked shots.
- Seth Lundy gives the Nittany Lions 14.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists per contest. He also averages 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocked shots.
- Andrew Funk is putting up 12.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per contest, making 43.8% of his shots from the field and 40.6% from 3-point range, with 2.9 triples per game.
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