Illinois Basketball: Betting odds, predictions, and game info against the Minnesota Golden Gophers

Jan 24, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33) applauds a score during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Coleman Hawkins (33) applauds a score during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Tides are turning in favor of the Illinois basketball program, and now we just need to take care of business against Minnesota.

The Illini already traveled to The Barn this season and took down the Golden Gophers, 78-60. This time around shouldn’t be much different, as Illinois is poised to make a run at the Big Ten Tournament double-bye.

Our record this year betting Illinois is 8-8 moneyline, 8-8 spread, and 11-6 over/under. We got back on track against Indiana with a 2-1 record. Let’s go 3-0 against Minnesota.

Here are the Illinois basketball betting odds, predictions, and game info against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Odds

Illinois basketball vs. Minnesota – Moneyline

Illinois is a heavy favorite in this game, and that shows as Las Vegas has us at -1500 to beat Minnesota. The Golden Gophers are +900.

Advice

There really isn’t much to the moneyline bet in this game. Illinois is a better team, and we showed that on the road by beating Minnesota by 16 points.

Despite Illinois dropping three out of the last four, which includes the last two contests, I think we are playing some of the best basketball of the season. It is tough to win on the road, and that is rearing its ugly head right now.

Minnesota, on the other hand, has lost nine games in a row, and only three of those contests were single-digit losses. This is a team without direction, and the Illini should be able to take advantage of that fact.

I am not going to throw a bunch of numbers at you. Illinois is better, plain and simple. Take the Illini.

Prediction – Illinois -1500

Illinois basketball vs. Minnesota – Spread

The spread against Minnesota is a little more interesting. Illinois is coming into the game giving 15 points to the Golden Gophers.

Advice

As mentioned above, Minnesota has lost six out of the past nine contests by double-digit margins. They aren’t a good team right now, and this should have Illinois’ mouths watering.

The worst area on the court for the Illini is three-point defense. When we go up against a team that is above average from three-point range, we usually struggle.

Thankfully, Minnesota is terrible from distance. They are only hitting 30.2% from three-point range, which ranks No. 338 out of 363 teams in DI basketball. I don’t think we have to worry about the defensive side of the court.

Despite the Golden Gophers being a solid team when it comes to defense in the paint, they can’t defend the three-point arc. They are allowing opponents to shoot 35.7% from three-point range, which ranks No. 279 in the nation.

I fully expect a hot Matthew Mayer to take advantage of this bad three-point defense. Look for him to have a big game. It wouldn’t shock me to see Jayden Epps start hitting shots from deep as well. He has been cold lately, but a bad defense might be what he needs.

With that being said, take Illinois and the points. I think this team has really come together and is about to go on a run.

Prediction – Illinois -15

Illinois basketball vs. Minnesota – Over/Under

Las Vegas doesn’t think this game is going to be high scoring. They have the over/under set at 135.5 points.

Advice

Minnesota is a slow-playing team. They are only averaging 67.9 possessions per game, which ranks No. 285 in the country.

On top of playing slowly, the Golden Gophers are sub-300 in the country in three-point shooting and sub-200 in two-point shooting. They are a slow team that can’t hit shots. That is a recipe for a low score.

In the last nine games, all of which were losses, Minnesota has averaged scoring 55.1 points per game. This is truly a dreadful number.

Illinois can put up a big number, but I don’t think the Golden Gophers will hold their end of the bargain. I see this game going under, and it is due to Minnesota not putting up a lot of points. The final score should be something like 77-53 in favor of Illinois.

Prediction – Under 135.5 points

Illinois basketball vs. Minnesota – Game Info

Date & Time: February 20 – 8:00 p.m. CT

TV: Big Ten Network

Streaming: Fubo TV