Nebraska vs Illinois Odds, Pick: Why to Favor Illini

Sunday, Feb. 4

6:30 p.m. ET

Big Ten Network

Nebraska Odds
Point Spread	Total	Moneyline
+9.5 -110	153.5 -110o / -110u	+375

Illinois Odds
Point Spread	Total	Moneyline
-9.5 -110	153.5 -110o / -110u	-500

Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute NCAAB odds here.

The Illinois Fighting Illini return to Champaign to host the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Illinois enters the contest as winners of four of its past five. Meanwhile, Nebraska has no shortage of momentum.

Here's Nebraska vs. Illinois odds and a pick.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

On Wednesday, Nebraska cemented its potential NCAA tournament bid with a huge comeback win against top-10-ranked Wisconsin. Previously, the Huskers beat No. 1-ranked Purdue in Lincoln.

Very few bubble teams have a better pair of wins than Nebraska, which will go a long way to giving it some wiggle room leading up to Selection Sunday.

Additionally, against Wisconsin, Nebraska had an uneven shooting performance in the first half before turning up the burners in the final 20 minutes.

That's no real surprise based on Nebraska's style of play, which features a steady diet of perimeter jumpers. It attempts 3s on 45% of its field goals, connecting on 35% of those shots. Sometimes, the result of a Nebraska game could come down to whether it shot the ball well from deep or not.

One name to watch is guard C.J. Wilcher, who's hit four or more 3s in three consecutive games. He scored 22 points in the win over Wisconsin and is shot-ready every time the ball touches his hands. Illinois will need a game plan for slowing down Wilcher.

Additionally, Keisei Tominaga could have a big game. His shooting slump took him out of the lineup for the final 12 minutes against Wisconsin, but he's always capable of popping off for a big scoring evening.

Plus, Nebraska is a totally different squad with Juwan Gary in the fold. Gary's activity level on defense is such a difference-maker, and you could notice his constant winning plays against the Badgers.

He'll have a tough task against Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins, but he's up to the task.

Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois is one of the most complete offensive-led teams in the Big Ten. With a dynamic duo like Terrence Shannon Jr. and Marcus Domask, Illinois can dominate teams in a variety of ways.

Domask loves breaking down defenses and hitting mid-range shots. On the other hand, Shannon uses his quickness to breeze past slower defenders. Shannon is averaging over 20 points per game, while Domask is sitting around 15 points per game.

Additionally, having two capable ball-handlers who are willing passers makes up for Illinois' lack of a true point guard. The Illini run the point guard position by committee, and that committee is led by Ty Rodgers.

In some games, teams can force Rodgers off the floor, since he's a total non-shooter. That makes Domask and Shannon even more important.

Illinois sits at fifth nationally in Offensive Efficiency, according to KenPom. That's not only one of the best numbers in the sport, but it's also the best amongst Big Ten foes.

While the Illini have an elite offense, they score much differently than their opponents from Lincoln.

Nebraska vs. Illinois

Betting Pick & Prediction

There has to be some magic voodoo in Pinnacle Bank Arena, because Nebraska is a vastly different team at home.

Entering Sunday, Nebraska has five conference losses — all on the road, four of which came by double digits.

It's just a totally different team away from Lincoln, and that's a trend I can't stray away from.

Pick: Illinois -9 (Play to -10)