Illinois vs Penn State Prediction 1/3/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Penn State Nittany Lions meet Saturday in college basketball action from the Palestra. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Penn State Nittany Lions prediction.

Illinois Fighting Illini Recap

The Illinois Fighting Illini come into this game looking to add on to their 90-55 win over Southern last time out to sit at 10-3 this season. After this game, Illinois will head home for a game against Rutgers.

Fighting Illini Win Back-To-Back Games

Keaton Wagler leads the Illini in scoring with 15.7 PPG along with 5.1 RPG and 3.3 APG while Andrej Stojakovic has 15.5 PPG with 4 RPG. Kylan Boswell has 15.3 PPG with 4.2 RPG and a team-high 3.4 APG to lead the Illini in assists and David Mirkovic has 13.3 PPG with a team-high 8.5 RPG to lead the Illini in rebounding as well this season. Tomislav Ivisic has 10.4 PPG with 4.8 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Illinois up to this point in the year. Zvonimir Ivisic also has 7.9 PPG and 5.6 RPG as well this season. As a team, Illinois is averaging 88.1 PPG on 48.1% shooting from the field, 35% from three and 78.4% from the foul line this season.

Penn State Nittany Lions Recap

The Penn State Nittany Lions come into this game looking to add on to their 90-67 win over NC Central last time out to sit at 9-4 on the year. After this game, Penn State will head home for a game against Michigan.

Nittany Lions Snap Three-Game Skid

Kayden Mingo leads Penn State in scoring and assists with 14.8 PPG and 4.1 APG along with 4.5 RPG while Melih Tunca has 11 PPG with 3.8 APG and Freddie Dilione V has 14.5 PPG with 3.5 RPG and 2.4 APG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Penn State so far this season. Josh Reed also has 9.1 PPG with 3.8 RPG and Ivan Juric has 8.4 PPG with 3.8 RPG as well this season. As a team, Penn State is averaging 79.1 PPG on 48.8% shooting from the field, 35.2% from three and 72.1% from the foul line this season.

Illinois Fighting Illini @ Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends: January 3, 2026

Why the Penn State Nittany Lions will win

• Penn State has won six of its last seven night games.
• Illinois has lost three of its last four January games as an AP-ranked team.
• Penn State has won the first half in each of its last five home games against Conference opponents.

Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win

• Illinois has won each of its last 13 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Penn State has lost seven of its last eight night games against Conference opponents.
• Illinois has won the first half in each of its last 13 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Penn State’s last four night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 159+ points.
• Five of Illinois’ last six games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 163+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Penn State ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw attempts per game this season (13.3).
• Penn State ranks T7th among Division 1 teams for turnovers per game this season (9.2).
• Illinois ranks 364th among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (3.7).
• Illinois ranks 364th among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (8.8).

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Prediction

I’m on Illinois here. I just think that the Illini are the better team and Penn State for my money is still one of the bottom end teams in the Big Ten this season. Illinois is a team that probably should take advantage of really winnable spots like these if they’re really going to make noise in the Big Ten and I think that htey get the job done here. Give me Illinois.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Illinois -16.5