Penn State vs Illinois Prediction 1/8/25 College Basketball Picks

The Penn State Nittany Lions are visiting the Illinois Fighting Illini on Wednesday, January 8th at the State Farm Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Penn State Nittany Lions vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction. We will examine:

The Illinois Fighting Illini’s recent form and player performance

The Penn State Nittany Lions’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Illinois Fighting Illini

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Penn State Nittany Lions

Recent betting trends in games played between Penn State Nittany Lions and Illinois Fighting Illini

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Penn State Nittany Lions vs Illinois Fighting Illini game

Illinois Fighting Illini Preview

The Illinois Fighting Illini have an 11-3 record this season and are sitting in the third place of the Big 10. Illinois is coming off an 81-77 win over Washington. The Fighting Illini are 7-6-1 against the spread, and 8-6 in over/under while having a 7-1 home record.

Offensively, Illinois is averaging 87.6 points per game, which ranks 7th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 67.2 points per game (85th). The Fighting Illini shoot 46.1% from the field (133rd) and 34% from beyond the arc (176th). The Fighting Illini shoot with 75.1% from the free-throw line (81st) and are grabbing 45.1 rebounds per game, which is the third-best in the nation.

Kasparas Jakucionis leads Illinois in scoring with an average of 16.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and a team-high 5.4 assists, while Tomislav Ivisic adds 13.8 points and a team-high 9.1 rebounds.

Penn State Nittany Lions Preview

The Penn State Nittany Lions have a 12-3 record this season and are sitting in the 8th place of the Big Ten. The Lions are coming off a 71-77 loss to Indiana. The Lions are 6-9 against the spread, and 7-8 in over/under, while having a 1-1 road record this season.

Offensively, Penn State is averaging 86.8 points per game, which is the 10th-best in the nation. Defensively, they allow 68.5 points per game (106th). The Lions shoot 50.1% from the field, which is the 15th-best nationally, and 34% from beyond the arc (177th). The Lions shoot 75.3% from the free-throw line (73rd) and are grabbing 36.5 rebounds per game (171st).

Ace Baldwin leads Penn State in scoring, with an average of 14.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and a team-high 8.4 assists, while Yanic Konan Niederhauser adds 12.7 points and a team-high 6.9 rebounds.

Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win

• Illinois has won each of its last 19 night games at State Farm Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Illinois has won the first half in each of its last 12 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Penn State Nittany Lions will win

• Penn State has won seven of its last eight night games.
• Penn State has won the first half in five of its last six games at State Farm Center.

Total Points Facts

• Seventeen of Penn State’s last 18 Wednesday games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 162 or fewer points.
• Seven of Illinois’ last eight games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 158 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Illinois ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for rebounds per game this season (45.1).
• Illinois ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (58.0%).
• Penn State ranks 9th among Division 1 teams for points per game this season (86.8).
• Penn State ranks 9th among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (16.9).

Penn State Nittany Lions vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction

Penn State has won their last four meetings against Illinois and is 5-0 against the spread in their last 5 meetings. Their last three meetings have gone over the total, and in their most recent meeting last season, Penn State won 90-89 at home, covering the spread, as the game went over the total. In this Penn State Nittany Lions vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction, Illinois is coming as -9.5 home favorites. Illinois is better both offensively, scoring 0.8 points more than Penn State, and defensively, allowing 1.3 points less. The Fighting Illini are winning by an average of 20.4 points this season, while the Nittany Lions are winning by an average of 18.3 points. Illinois is the better team in this matchup, and Penn State has failed to cover in their last four games, so take the Illinois Fighting Illini and lay the points at home.