Illinois Fighting Illini vs Nebraska Cornhuskers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/30/2025

Game Time: 8:30 pm ET, Thursday, January 30, 2025

Venue:  Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, NE

Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Illinois -3.5, Nebraska +3.5; Over/Under:  155 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Illinois -3.5, Nebraska +3.5; Over/Under:  155 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Illinois -3.5, Nebraska +3.5; Over/Under:  154.5 points

Illinois Fighting Illini:  14-6 (6-4) (7th place, Big Ten)

Nebraska Cornhuskers:  12-8 (2-7) (17th place, Big Ten)

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Illinois Fighting Illini:  2-3  last 5

Nebraska Cornhuskers:  0-5  last 5

Illinois is entering this game with a 14-6 record overall, a 6-4 record in conference games, and they are 3-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Northwestern Wildcats in their last game. Kylan Boswell led the team in points per game in that game with 17 while Morez Johnson Jr. was next on the team with 15. Kasparas Jakučionis led the team in assists with 7 in that game while Kasparas Jakučionis led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 45.3% from the field, 28.1% from 3-point range, and 66.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 85.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 69.5 PPG against them. Illinois has an ATS record of 10-10 this season and their O/U record is 12-8.

Nebraska is entering this game with a 12-8 record overall, a 2-7 conference record, and they are 8-2 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Wisconsin Badgers in their last game. Brice Williams led the team in points in that game with 11 while Connor Essegian was next on the team with 8. Rollie Worster led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Juwan Gary led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 33.9% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range, and 37.5% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 75.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 71 PPG against them. Nebraska has an ATS record of 10-10 this season and their O/U record is 9-11.

The current betting odds have Illinois listed as a 3.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Illinois has looked really good in their games this season with their 14-6 record overall and their 6-4 conference record which has them in the top half of the Big Ten. They have looked decent in their road games so far with their 3-2 road record. Meanwhile, Nebraska hasn't looked good in their games this season with their 12-8 record overall and their 2-7 conference record which has them right near the bottom of the Big Ten. They have looked a lot better on their home court this year with their 8-2 home record, but it hasn't helped them much against conference opponents. They are coming off a bad road loss to Wisconsin in their last one and they have looked terrible in their games lately with 6 losses in a row. Illinois hasn't looked that great lately with their 2-3 record in their last 5 games, but they are coming off a win over Northwestern in their last one and will be looking to build on that. They have struggled against some of the stronger teams they have faced this season, but they have looked great against weaker teams and have proven they can win games on the road in the conference. They are also a ranked team and do have a lot more talent at their disposal. Nebraska just hasn't been able to put it together in the Big Ten whether it be at home or on the road, Illinois can take advantage of their weaknesses in this game. The best way to place a bet here is on Illinois to cover the spread in this game. 

Illinois Nebraska Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Thursday, January 30, 2025 (8:30 pm ET start time) is Illinois 77 Nebraska 71.

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Illinois Fighting Illini: 16-9 ATS in road games. 27-19 ATS after playing a home game. 6-3 ATS when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%). 20-9 OVER when the total is 150 to 159.5. 22-9 OVER off a win against a conference rival. 24-13 OVER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%).

Nebraska Cornhuskers: 17-27 ATS as an underdog. 7-17 ATS in January games. 1-4 1H ATS off a road loss by 20 points or more. 18-10 OVER after playing a road game. 34-21 OVER versus teams who are called for 17 or less fouls/game. 24-17 OVER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%).

Illinois Fighting Illini:  T. Ivisic (C) Out - Illness. T. Rodgers (G) Out - Redshirt.

Nebraska Cornhuskers:  R. Mast (F) Out - Redshirt.

"We can be a dominant team if we keep growing and finding ways. It's growing steps and part of our process." - Brad Underwood after his team’s win against Northwestern in their last game. 

“It is one of the top teams not only in the league, but I think they’re one of the best teams in the country. They’ve got five guys who can make a shot, five guys who can make a play off the dribble. They are very hard to guard, especially when they get comfortable early. And that to me was the problem. When you give yourself a 19-2 hole, we’re giving teams pick-sixes early in games. We’re turning the ball over.” - Fred Hoiberg after his team’s loss against Wisconsin in their last game. 

K. Boswell 

B. Humrichous 

T. Ivisic 

K. Jakucionis 

T. White

B. Buyuktuncel 

J. Gary 

B. Meah 

B. Williams 

R. Worster

PPG: K. Jakucionis (15.9)

APG: K. Jakucionis (5.4)

Reb/G: T. Ivisic (8.5)

PPG: B. Williams (18.2)

APG: R. Worster (2.9)

Reb/G: B. Buyuktuncel (5.8)

Coaches:

Illinois Fighting Illini: Brad Underwood (8th season)

Nebraska Cornhuskers: Fred Hoiberg (6th season)