Nebraska vs Illinois Prediction 12/13/2025 Today’s College Basketball Picks
Chris Ruffolo
Dec 7, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Rienk Mast (51) comes down with a rebound against Creighton Bluejays guard Josh Dix (4) during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
MATCHUP
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Illinois Fighting Illini
Team Records
10-0
8-2
Spread
+11.5 -108
-11.5 -112
Moneyline
+525
-750
Total
Over 155.5 (-108)
Under 155.5 (-112)
Where
State Farm Center, Champaign, IL
When
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time
04:00 PM EST
TV
Peacock
The Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Illinois Fighting Illini meet Saturday in college basketball action from the State Farm Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini prediction.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Recap
The Nebraska Cornhuskers come into this game looking to add on to their 90-60 win over Wisconsin last time out to sit at 10-0 this season. After this game, Nebraska will head home for a game against North Dakota.
Cornhuskers Looking To Stay Unbeaten
Going into the Wisconsin game, Rienk Mast leads Nebraska in scoring with 18.1 PPG along with 6.1 RPG and 3.2 APG while Pryce Sandfort has 15.8 PPG with 5.6 RPG and 2.7 APG this season. Braden Frager has 11.6 PPG with 4.1 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Nebraska so far this year while Jamarques Lawrence has 9 PPG with 3.6 APG. Sam Hoiberg has 7.8 PPG with 4.9 RPG and a team-high 4 APG to lead Nebraska in assists and Berke Buyuktuncel has 7.4 PPG with a team-high 6.9 RPG to lead the Cornhuskers in rebounding so far this season. As a team, Nebraska is averaging 83.2 PPG on 47.6% shooting from the field, 34.8% from three and 71.5% from the foul line this season.
Illinois Fighting Illini Recap
The Illinois Fighting Illini come into this game looking to add on to their 88-80 win over Ohio State last time out to improve to 8-2 this season. After this game, Illinois will head on the road for a game against Missouri.
Illini Win Back-To-Back Games
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.
Illinois has won each of its last 11 games at State Farm Center when playing with a rest advantage.
Nebraska has lost each of its last six games at State Farm Center.
Illinois has won the first half in each of its last six games at State Farm Center.
Why the Nebraska Cornhuskers will win
Nebraska has won each of its last 14 games.
Illinois has lost four of its last five day games against AP-ranked opponents.
Nebraska has won the first half in five of its last six games.
Total Points Facts
Each of Nebraska’s last seven day games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 151 or fewer points.
Twenty-eight of Illinois’ last 33 day games against Conference opponents at State Farm Center have produced a total of 159 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
Illinois ranks 363rd among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (4.0).
Illinois ranks T361st among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (9.0).
Nebraska ranks 364th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (32.7).
Nebraska ranks T6th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw attempts per game this season (13.1).
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction
I’m on Illinois here. I think this is going to be a bit of a reality check spot for Nebraska in their first true road game of the season against an Illinois team that’s still really talented across the board and are coming off of a pair of solid wins over Tennessee and Ohio State. I think this is a really good matchup but I think Illinois pulls away in the second half for the win and cover here.
