Southern vs Illinois Prediction 12/29/2025 Today’s College Basketball Picks
Chris Ruffolo
Dec 9, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) drives to the basket as Ohio State Buckeyes guard John Mobley Jr. (0) defends during the first half Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
MATCHUP
Southern Jaguars
Illinois Fighting Illini
Team Records
4-9
10-3
Where
State Farm Center, Champaign, IL
When
Monday, December 29, 2025
Time
03:00 PM EST
TV
BTN
The Southern Jaguars and the Illinois Fighting Illini meet Monday in college basketball action from the State Farm Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Southern Jaguars vs. Illinois Fighting Illini prediction.
Southern Jaguars Recap
The Southern Jaguars come into this game looking to bounce back from their 111-67 loss at the hands of Baylor last time out to sit at 4-8 this season. After this game, Southern will head home for a game against Texas Southern.
Jaguars Lose 4 In A Row
Michael Jacobs leads the Jaguars in scoring with 20.9 PPG, 3.5 RPG and 4.3 APG while Malek Abdelgowad has 11.8 PPG with a team-high 7.4 RPG to lead the Jaguars in rebounding. Cam Amboree has 10.1 PPG with 2.7 RPG and 3.8 APG along with a team-high 2.9 SPG to lead the Jaguars in steals. DaMariee Jones has 9.6 PPG with 5.3 RPG and Fazl Oshodi has 9.2 PPG as well on the year. As a team, Southern is averaging 85.3 PPG on 47.3% shooting from the field, 36.6% from three and 67% from the foul line so far this season.
Illinois Fighting Illini Recap
The Illinois Fighting Illini come into this game looking to add on to their 91-48 win over Missouri last time out to sit at 9-3 this season. After this game, Illinois will head on the road for a game against Penn State.
Illini Looking To Build On Rivalry Win
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.
Illinois has won each of its last 12 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Southern has lost each of its last 10 Monday games against non-Conference opponents.
Illinois has won the first half in each of its last 12 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Southern Jaguars will win
Southern has won each of its last 10 Monday day games.
Illinois has lost four of its last five games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
Southern has won the first half in seven of its last eight day games.
Total Points Facts
Nine of Illinois’ last 10 day games against non-Conference opponents at State Farm Center have produced a total of 162 or fewer points.
Fifteen of Southern’s last 17 day games have produced a total of 163 or fewer 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 (8.8).
Southern ranks 16th among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (10.3).
Southern ranks 17th among Division 1 teams for pace this season (75.2).
Southern Jaguars vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction
I’m on Illinois in this one. I get the case to be made for Southern as I do think the Jaguars are one of the better teams in the SWAC. However, this is still a SWAC team against an Illinois team that’s done nothing but drill inferior competition this season, especially at home and I think Illinois is coming out with a point to prove once again that they’re locked in ahead of Big Ten play. Huge number, but Illinois has the potential to win this one by 40+. Give me the Illini.
