| MATCHUP | Rutgers Scarlet Knights | Illinois Fighting Illini |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 8-8 | 12-3 |
| Where | State Farm Center, Champaign, IL | |
| When | Thursday, January 8, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:30 PM EST | |
| TV | BTN | |
Illinois Fighting Illini Preview
Illinois Fighting Illini have an 11-3 record this season and are tied for 6th place in Big Ten Conference. They have a 7-1 home record and are coming off a 73-65 away win against Penn State. Their previous three games were a 90-55 home win against South Carolina Upstate, a 91-48 home win against Missouri and an 83-80 home loss against Nebraska.
Offensively, Illinois averages 87.1 points per game, while allowing 68.2 points per game defensively. The Fighting Illini shoot with 48% from the field and grab 42.4 rebounds per game, while dishing out 14.9 assists per game. They average 5.6 blocks per game and 3.7 steals per game defensively.
Keaton Wagler leads Illinois in scoring, with an average of 15.4 points per game, while shooting with 45.9% from the field and 82.9% from the free throw line, adding a team-high 3.8 assists. David Mirkovic is the team’s leading rebounder with 8.4 per game.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Preview
Rutgers Scarlet Knights have an 8-7 record this season and are tied for 14th place in Big Ten Conference. They have a 0-2 road record and are coming off an 88-85 home win against Oregon. Their previous three games were an 80-73 home loss against Ohio State, a 65-50 home win against Delaware State and a 70-69 home win against Pennsylvania.
Offensively, Rutgers averages 70.3 points per game, while allowing 72.5 points per game defensively. The Scarlet Knights shoot with 41% from the field and grab 35.7 rebounds per game, while dishing out 10.7 assists per game. They average 3.6 blocks per game and 6.8 steals per game defensively.
Tariq Francis leads Rutgers in scoring, with an average of 14.9 points per game, while shooting with 45.8% from the field and 87.3% from the free throw line. Emmanuel Ogbole is the team’s leading rebounder with 6.9 per game, while Jamichael Davis adds a team-high 2.5 assists per game.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights @ Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends: January 8, 2026
Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win
- Illinois has won each of its last 14 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Rutgers has lost each of its last six games against AP-ranked opponents.
- Illinois has won the first half in each of its last 14 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will win
- Rutgers has won three of its last four games.
- Rutgers has won the first half in three of its last four road night games against Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Rutgers’ last 13 night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 146+ points.
- Each of Illinois’ last nine games at State Farm Center have produced a total of 145+ points.
Rutgers vs Illinois Prediction
In this Rutgers vs Illinois Prediction, Illinois is coming as -21.5 home favorites. Illinois has been the better team this season with a better overall record and less than half defeats than Rutgers. They have also been almost perfect at home with a 7-1 record, while Rutgers has lost both of its road games and has been terrible against the spread, with a 5-10 ATS record this season. Illinois is better both offensively and defensively with a +18.9 point differential this season, so I expect them to get the job done at home in a comfortable fashion. Take Illinois and lay the big number at home.