Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/08/2026

Game Time: 8:30 pm ET, Thursday, January 8, 2026

Venue:  State Farm Center, Champaign, IL

Where to Watch:  Big Ten Network

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Rutgers +21.5, Illinois -21.5; Over/Under:  144.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Rutgers +21.5, Illinois -21.5; Over/Under:  144.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Rutgers +21.5, Illinois -21.5; Over/Under:  144.5 points

Rutgers Scarlet Knights:  8-7 (1-3) (14th place, Big Ten)

Illinois Fighting Illini:  11-3 (2-1) (6th place, Big Ten)

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Rutgers Scarlet Knights:  3-2  last 5

Illinois Fighting Illini:  4-1  last 5

Rutgers is entering this game with an 8-7 record overall, a 1-3 record in conference games, and they are 0-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Oregon Ducks in their last game. Tariq Francis led the team in points in that game with 30 while Jamichael Davis, Darren Buchanan Jr., and Lino Mark each were next on the team with 13. Tariq Francis led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Jamichael Davis and Bryce Dortch each led the team in rebounds with 5. They were 43.3% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range, and 88.2% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 70.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 72.5 PPG against them. Rutgers has an ATS record of 5-10 this season and their O/U record is 8-7.

Illinois is entering this game with an 11-3 record overall, a 2-1 conference record, and they are 7-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Penn State Nittany Lions in their last game. Kylan Boswell led the team in points in that game with 18 while Keaton Wagler was next on the team with 16. David Mirkovic and Keaton Wagler each led the team in assists with 3 in that game while David Mirkovic led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 39.3% from the field, 22.2% from 3-point range, and 82.1% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 87.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 68.2 PPG against them. Illinois has an ATS record of 8-6 this season and their O/U record is 4-10.

The current betting odds have Illinois listed as a 21.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Illinois has looked really good in their games this season with their 11-3 record overall and their 2-1 conference record which has them in the top half of the Big Ten. They have looked great on their home court too with their 7-1 home record this season. Meanwhile, Rutgers has looked good in their games this season with their 8-7 record overall, but their 1-3 conference record has them right near the bottom of the Big Ten. They haven't been a good road team either with their 0-2 road record this year. Rutgers is off a big win over Oregon in their last one and they finally got their first win of conference play, but they have looked terrible against conference opponents this year and are still 3-2 in their last 5 games. They weren't that competitive in their 2 Big Ten losses against ranked opponents, and they are going to be seeing another ranked opponent here. Illinois has been rolling in their games lately too, going 4-1 in their last 5 games, and their only conference loss, which is also their only home loss, was a really tight game against Nebraska who is still undefeated. Illinois has a lot more talent than Rutgers does and this is a bit of a let down for Rutgers off that big win over Oregon. Illinois has been rolling over bad opponents all year and they are going to do the same to this Rutgers team that has lost their only 2 road games this year. The best way to place a bet here is on Illinois to cover the spread in this game. 

Rutgers Illinois Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Thursday, January 8, 2026 (8:30 pm ET start time) is Illinois 92 Rutgers 62.

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Rutgers Scarlet Knights: 8-15 ATS as a road underdog or pick. 2-7 ATS off a home win against a conference rival. 12-28 ATS after playing a home game. 7-2 OVER after scoring 85 points or more. 16-8 OVER versus excellent teams - shooting 45% or more with a defense of 42% or less.

Illinois Fighting Illini: 15-7 ATS when the total is 140 to 149.5. 8-2 ATS when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%). 24-18 ATS versus teams who are called for 17 or less fouls/game. 15-8 OVER when the total is 140 to 149.5. 22-8 OVER off a win against a conference rival.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights:  D. Jones (G) Out - Redshirt.

Illinois Fighting Illini:  T. Rodgers (G-F) Questionable - Knee.

“They’ve been working harder, getting better. Couldn’t be more proud. We flew around. Guys were connected. They had each other’s backs. So a really, really good win coming off the backs of a really tough loss (to Ohio State on Friday).” - Steve Pikiell after his team’s win against Oregon in their last game. 

“One game at a time. One day at a time. It’s never to overlook. It’s never to look ahead. It’s never to look backwards. It’s [to] handle your day-to-day assignment – the next game, the next play.” - Brad Underwood on how he is approaching this season.

D. Badalau 

J. Davis 

T. Francis 

D. Grant 

E. Ogbole

K. Boswell 

T. Ivisic 

D. Mirkovic 

A. Stojakovic 

K. Wagler

PPG: Tariq Francis (14.9)

APG: Jamichael Davis (2.5)

Reb/G: Emmanuel Ogbole (6.9)

PPG: Keaton Wagler (15.4)

APG: Keaton Wagler (3.8)

Reb/G: David Mirkovic (8.4)

Coaches:

Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Steve Pikiell (10th season)

Illinois Fighting Illini: Brad Underwood (9th season)