Missouri vs Illinois Prediction 12/22/2025 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Missouri Tigers and the Illinois Fighting Illini meet Monday in college basketball action from the Enterprise Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Missouri Tigers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini prediction.

Missouri Tigers Recap

The Missouri Tigers come into this game looking to add on to their 82-60 win over Bethune Cookman last time out to sit at 10-2 this season. After this game, Missouri will head home for a game against Florida.

Tigers Win Back-To-Back Games

Mark Mitchell leads the Tigers in scoring and assists with 18.4 PPG and 3 APG along with 6.2 RPG while Jayden Stone has 13.3 PPG with 4.5 RPG and 2.7 APG. Jacob Crews has 13.8 PPG with 4.8 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Missouri up to this point in the year. Anthony Robinson II also has 9.6 PPG with 3.6 RPG and a team-high 3.2 APG to lead the Tigers in assists while Sebastian Mack has 9 PPG. Shawn Phillips Jr. has 8.9 PPG with a team-high 6.2 RPG to lead Missouri in rebounding up to this point in the year. As a team, Missouri is averaging 87.4 PPG on 52.4% shooting from the field, 36.5% from three and 68.1% from the foul line this season.

Illinois Fighting Illini Recap

The Illinois Fighting Illini come into this game looking to shake off an 83-80 loss to Nebraska last time out to sit at 8-3 this season. After this game, Illinois will head home for a game against Southern. 

Fighting Illini Have Two-Game Win Streak Snapped

Kylan Boswell leads the Illini in scoring and assists with 15.7 PPG and 3.5 APG along with 4.4 RPG while David Mirkovic has 14.6 PPG with a team-high 9.5 RPG to lead the Illini in rebounding. Andrej Stojakovic has 15.1 PPG with 3.4 RPG and Keaton Wagler also has 14.7 PPG and 5.2 RPG as well this season. Tomislav Ivisic has 11 PPG with 3.7 RPG and to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Illinois up to this point in the year. Zvonimir Ivisic also has 8 PPG and 5.3 RPG as well this season. As a team, Illinois is averaging 88.6 PPG on 47.8% shooting from the field, 33.9% from three and 78.9% from the foul line this season.

Missouri Tigers @ Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends: December 22, 2025

Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win

• Illinois has won each of its last 11 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Missouri has lost each of its last six games against non-Conference opponents at neutral venues.
• Illinois has won the first half in each of its last 11 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Missouri Tigers will win

• Missouri has won 15 of its last 17 night games against non-Conference opponents.
• Illinois has lost three of its last four games played at neutral venues.
• Missouri has won the first half in each of its last six night games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Missouri’s last six night games against AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 157+ points.
• Seven of Illinois’ last eight games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 156+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Illinois ranks 364th among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (3.8).
• Illinois ranks 364th among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (8.7).
• Missouri ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for field goal percentage this season (53.7%).
• Missouri ranks T2nd among Division 1 teams for opponent rebounds per game this season (28.5).

Missouri Tigers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction

I’m on the Fighting Illini here. I get the case to be made for either side in this game, as it is a rivalry, but I think that the Illini are the better team and Missouri’s struggled in their step up spots for the most part so far this season. I think that Illinois gets it done even on the neutral floor here, so give me Illinois in this one.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Illinois -9.5