The Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln, Nebraska. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
Illinois is favored by 3.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -170. The total is set at 154.5 points.
Here’s my Illinois vs. Nebraska predictions and college basketball picks for January 30, 2025.
Illinois vs Nebraska Prediction
My Pick: Illinois -2.5 (Play to -4.5)
My Illinois vs Nebraska best bet is on the Illini spread, with the best odds currently available at BetRivers. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Illinois vs Nebraska Odds
| Illinois Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -112 | 154.5 -110 / -110 | -170 |
| Nebraska Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -108 | 154.5 -110 / -110 | +142 |
- Illinois vs Nebraska spread: Illinois -3.5
- Illinois vs Nebraska over/under: 154.5 points
- Illinois vs Nebraska moneyline: Illinois -170, Nebraska +142
- Illinois vs Nebraska best bet: Illinois -2.5 (Play to -4.5)
Spread
I have the Illini on the spread up to -4.5.
Moneyline
I have no play on the moneyline.
Over/Under
I have no play on the total.
My Pick: Illinois -2.5 (Play to -4.5)
Illinois vs Nebraska College Basketball Betting Preview
Illinois Basketball
After losing three of its last four games, including a nail-biter at Michigan State, Illinois needed to right the ship.
On Sunday, it jumped out to a 25-point lead against Northwestern and held on for an 83-74 victory. Sunday's victory marked the 14th time in 20 games that the Fighting Illini have scored 80 points, and when they reach that plateau, they're 13-1 this season.
Offense has typically been a strength for Illinois during Brad Underwood's tenure. Illinois has ranked in the top 30 in adjusted offensive efficiency in four of the last five years and ranks 23rd in the category this season.
Freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis leads the way with 15.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. He was three assists shy of a triple-double against the Wildcats.
Center Tomislav Ivisic is averaging 13 points and 8.5 rebounds a night and is shooting 50% from the field. He can also stretch the floor, shooting 35.4% from 3 on 4.4 attempts.
However, Ivisic is questionable for Thursday's game with an illness.
Illinois is shooting just 32% from 3 as a team, a bit lower than you would expect for an offense this prolific. It's prolific on the inside, ranking 42nd in 2-point percentage and 24th in offensive rebounding percentage.
The Fighting Illini rank eighth in adjusted tempo, so their defensive numbers may not reflect a lockdown unit (69.5 points per game allowed). However, they rank in the top 10 in Division I in 3-point percentage defense, effective field goal percentage defense and defensive rebounding percentage.
The Illini don't force many turnovers, however, ranking 346th in turnover percentage.
That one area is keeping Illinois from having a top-10 defense, but it's still 12th in adjusted defensive efficiency and third in Big Ten play.
Nebraska Basketball
Since winning two of its first three Big Ten games, Nebraska has lost six straight in the conference. It's particularly struggled on the road, losing by 22.8 points in five conference road losses.
Playing in Lincoln will help on Thursday, but it may not help offensively. In conference play, Nebraska is 17th in adjusted offensive efficiency, and it's fallen to 86th in Division I for the season.
Fifth-year senior Brice Williams leads the way with 18.2 points per game. He's shooting 37.2% from 3 while Wisconsin transfer Connor Essegian (11.4 PPG) is shooting 40.8% from downtown.
However, with the exception of those two, Nebraska can struggle from the perimeter and is shooting 189th from deep for the season (16th in conference play).
It also hasn't helped matters that the Huskers have lost the possession battle frequently. They're 254th in offensive rebounding percentage and 182nd in turnover percentage.
Defensively, Nebraska has been stingy, as it still ranks 38th in adjusted defensive efficiency. However, in conference, it ranks 16th in the category. It's allowing 81.2 points per game in conference play.
For Nebraska to get back in the NCAA Tournament picture, it'll need an upset here, and that'll start at the defensive end.
Illinois vs. Nebraska Betting Analysis
Whether or not Illinois gets to 80 points will be a key factor in this matchup, but it may be able to cover this line regardless.
Even without Ivisic against Northwestern, Illinois had five players in double figures on its way to 83 points.
Now it takes on a Nebraska team that's currently struggling.
Since Nebraska joined the Big Ten, Illinois has won 16 of the last 22 meetings. It's won 10 of the last 12 meetings since Underwood was hired, including nine straight, which have all been by three points or more.
This season, Illinois is 5-3 away from Champaign and 3-2 in true road games.
Illinois is the better team at both ends of the floor, and I expect it to cover on the road on Thursday.
