Two Big-10 teams clash tonight as Illinois takes on Nebraska. Find out our thoughts on the spread and total in this Illinois vs. Nebraska prediction.
This game means a lot to both teams. Illinois is ranked 18th in the country but has already suffered six losses this season. If they can’t win this game on the road, they will fall further in the Big 10 rankings and risk losing a top-five seed in March Madness.
Read on to find out who we think wins this pivotal Big-10 matchup.
Illinois vs. Nebraska Betting Preview
All Nebraska vs. Illinois odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025.
- Spread
Illinois -4 - Moneyline
Illinois -185, Nebraska +154 - Over/Under
155 points - Game Time
Thursday, Jan. 30, 8:30 ET - Location
Pinnacle Bank Arena | Lincoln, NE. - How To Watch
FS1
Illinois enters this game with a 14-6 record and is 6-4 in conference play. In 20 games this season Illinois is 10-10 against the spread, only covering 50% of the time. When they are away favorites Illinois is 1-2 ATS, and against conference opponents they sit at 4-6 ATS.
Nebraska is 12-8 this season, sitting at 2-7 in conference play. Against the spread, they also are 10-10 in their 20 games this season. When the Cornhuskers are home underdogs they are 0-1 ATS this season and have a 3-4 record as underdogs in general.
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Games that Nebraska plays tend to go under as that bet has hit in nine of 20 games this season. When they are home, however, it’s more even, as the total is an even 5-5 in Pinnacle Bank Arena this season. In conference games, Nebraska has gone over four times and under five.
Illinois games usually lean over as they have gone over 12 times and under eight. When Illinois is a favorite they have gone over 10 times and under six, which is key in this one. Furthermore, when they are playing a conference game they have gone over seven times and under only three.
The line in this game opened at Illinois -3.5 and moved to Illinois -4. That’s not a lot of movement for one of the night’s marquee games.
Prediction for Illinois vs. Nebraska
Neither of these teams is a covering machine, but I do like Illinois -4 in this matchup due to the gap between these teams offensively. Illinois is 6th in the country in scoring offense, averaging 85.4 points per game. Nebraska on the other hand ranks 162nd in scoring offense averaging 75 points per game.
Nebraska is 12-8 this year and according to Team Rankings’ bracketology, they currently have a 23% chance to make the tournament. A win over Illinois tonight would boost those odds greatly.
Given the data above, I see this game going over. Illinois has the 117th best scoring defense and Nebraska is tied for the 167th. Neither of these teams are strong on the defensive side of the ball, and both teams will score points.
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For that reason, I like a few player overs as well. So do my colleagues, as Will Helms has Kasparas Jakucionis’ points and rebounds over as one of his favorite college basketball player props.
Expect a fun, high-scoring matchup. Winning on the road isn’t easy, but I think the Illini can get it done, pulling away late.
Either way, it should be a fairly competitive battle in Lincoln tonight.
Prediction: Illinois 88, Nebraska 77
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