Northwestern Wildcats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Picks & Predictions
The No. 17 Illinois Fighting Illini will face off against the Northwestern Wildcats in a Big Ten match-up on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at the State Farm Center in Champaign,
Game outlook
The No. 17 Illinois Fighting Illini will face off against the Northwestern Wildcats in a Big Ten match-up on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. The game, scheduled for a 3:00 PM ET tip-off, will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. Northwestern previously defeated Illinois 70-66 in overtime on December 6, 2024, as a three-point underdog. Illinois has opened as the favorite with a -8 point spread, which has since adjusted to -7.5. Stay updated for the latest sports betting promotions.
Betting Odds
Moneyline: Wildcats +285 | Fighting Illini -363
Spread: Wildcats +7.5 (-110) | Fighting Illini -7.5 (-110)
Total: Over/Under 148.5 (-110)
Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Illinois will win straight-up is 78%.
Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern's basketball team is facing challenges this season as they strive to remain competitive following recent NCAA tournament appearances. Despite not being ranked in the top 68 teams by Joe Lunardi's Bracketology, Coach Chris Collins' team has shown resilience with victories in two of their last three games. Their recent win against Indiana marked their third consecutive game covering the spread, highlighting their potential. The Wildcats have performed well in Big Ten home games but have struggled on the road. Offensively, they score an average of 74.2 points per game with key players like Nick Martinelli and Brooks Barnhizer leading the way. Defensively, Northwestern has been solid, allowing an average of 68.2 points per game and ranking 26th in defensive efficiency according to KenPom. Despite their challenges, the Wildcats remain a competitive team with room for improvement.