Illinois basketball betting odds, predictions, and game info against Indiana

On a four-game winning streak, the Illinois basketball program looks to take down a big-time rival in Indiana on Thursday night.

The Illini have now won six out of the past eight games while the Hoosiers are trying to stabilize the ship, as they have dropped five out of their last eight contests.

Our record this year betting Illinois is 4-4 moneyline, 3-5 spread, and 4-5 over/under. Last week, Minnesota scored a garbage three-pointer to hit the over, so we ended up 2-1. Let’s see if we can get to 3-0 against Indiana.

Here are the Illinois basketball betting odds, predictions, and game info against Indiana.

Odds

Illinois basketball vs. Indiana – Moneyline

Las Vegas has Illinois as the clear favorite entering the game on Thursday night. The Illini are opening at -250 on the moneyline while Indiana is at +210.

Advice

Illinois has had Indiana’s number over the past few years. The only victory for the Hoosiers in the last five matchups came in the Big Ten Tournament last season by two points.

Indiana is a pretty balanced team this season. They have had the reliable Trayce Jackson-Davis for what seems like the last 15 years, and he is finally healthy again. Although, the Hoosiers are only 1-3 since his return.

The Hoosiers have had trouble scoring the ball as of late. While they average 78.9 points per game, which ranks No. 28 in the country, that number has dropped in the last month or so. Just in the last two games, they have scored 63 points and 66 points.

I think Illinois’ defense continues to show up. In the last six games, we are only giving up 61.7 points per game. I expect that out of the Illini on Thursday night as well.

Prediction – Illinois -250

Illinois basketball vs. Indiana – Spread

This might be one of the toughest spreads I have seen for an Illinois game this season. The Illini enter the Indiana matchup as 6.0-point favorites.

Advice

Let me first start by saying, Illinois has been covering spreads lately. We have beaten our last four opponents by an average of 13.3 points per game.

Indiana isn’t the best on the road either. They are 1-4 this season and in the four losses, they average losing by 14.5 points per game.

The Hoosiers do have a couple of things going for them. Jackson-Davis doesn’t have to deal with Kofi Cockburn anymore, and when they do shoot three-pointers, they tend to go in the hoop.

Jackson-Davis probably thinks he has some relief without Kofi, but Illinois doesn’t just send one big man in to protect the rim. We have multiple 6-foot-9 players who can guard in the paint. It wouldn’t shock me to see Jackson-Davis struggle again against Illinois.

When Indiana isn’t feeding Jackson-Davis, they are efficiently making three-pointers. The Hoosiers are knocking down shots from deep at a clip of 37.1%, which ranks No. 41 in the nation. But they don’t attempt many, as Indiana is only putting up 18.1 three-pointers per game, which ranks No. 314 out of 363 DI programs.

A final note on the three-point shooting, Illinois is defending the three-point arc well. Opponents are only hitting 31.3% of their three-pointers against us this season, which ranks No. 71 in the country.

I think Illinois is going to throw our big men at Indiana, and the Hoosiers will struggle in the paint. We then have players like Sencire Harris who can guard out on the perimeter. Look for the Illini to hold the Hoosiers to a low score on Thursday night. This could be a double-digit victory.

Prediction – Illinois -6.0

Illinois basketball vs. Indiana – Over/Under

It was a bad beat against Minnesota in the last game, as their pointless three-pointer in the final seconds put the final score over 137.5 points. This week, against Indiana, we are looking at a higher over/under. Las Vegas has set the line at 144.5 points.

Advice

This might sound crazy, but I am loving this over/under. Illinois is giving up 63.7 points per game while Indiana is at 67.9 points per game. These two numbers rank No. 33 and No. 116, respectively.

With the numbers mentioned above, I think Illinois’ defense has a chance to shut down Indiana and keep them to a lower number. I am looking at something in the 60s.

I think it is going to be a stalemate in the paint, and the big difference in the game is if Illinois is going to be able to make shots from three-point range.

Illinois is chucking up 26 three-pointers per game, which ranks No. 24 in the nation. But we are only making those three-pointers at a clip of 33.1%, which ranks No. 203 in the country.

Indiana is not good defensively on the perimeter. Their opponents are hitting 34.3% from three-point range, which ranks No. 212 in the nation.

The one caveat to all of this is the fact both teams play quick basketball. Indiana and Illinois both rank inside the top 100 in possessions per game. That makes me want to take the over.

Even with Indiana scoring in the 60s, I think the pace of the game will favor the over. With so many attempts from deep, Illinois is bound to hit some. Look for this game to finish something like 82-68 in favor of the Illini.

Prediction – Over 144.5 points

Illinois basketball vs. Indiana – Game Info

Date & Time: January 19 – 7:30 p.m. CT

TV: FS1

Streaming: Fubo TV