Illinois vs. Nebraska Prediction and Odds: Rebounding is the Key to Victory for the Fighting Illini

The No. 25 Illinois Fighting Illini will host the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Big Ten action on Tuesday night at the Pinnacle Bank Arena. While both are part of the same conference, that is where the comparisons end for these two wildly different teams. 

First, we start with the Fighting Illini who are 11-3 overall, 4-0 in the conference, and lead the Big Ten. Illinois has reeled off five straight wins including their last game, a 76-64 victory over Maryland. It was tight, but the Illini managed to cover the 11 point spread for that game and are now 8-6 against the spread this season.

In stark contrast to their opponents tonight, the Cornhuskers are winless so far in the Big Ten with an 0-5 mark in conference play. They are just 6-10 overall and are bringing up the rear in the conference. Their latest failure came at the hands of Rutgers who beat them 93-65. However, in the two games prior, they did manage to cover against Michigan State and Ohio State in losing efforts. 

Here are the odds for this Big Ten matchup, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Illinois vs. Nebraska Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

• Illinois -13 (-110)
• Nebraska +13 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Illinois -875
• Nebraska +600

Total: 150.5 (Over -115/Under -105)

Illinois vs. Nebraska Prediction and Pick

The Fighting Illini had a rough start to the year but have emphatically turned the corner and are 9-1 in their last 10 games. Their lone loss during that span was to No. 6 Arizona. Their other two losses were back-to-back games at the beginning of the year to Marquette and Cincinnati. While they are 8-6 ATS on the year, they are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight games. Clearly, this team is firing on all cylinders right now. 

Their offense is in the top 15 in terms of overall scoring (80.4 PPG), average score margin (+15.9), and are second in the nation in rebounds per game (43.9). Illinois’ defense is not quite as dominant but is in the top 60 in points allowed and very strong on the defensive glass.  

While Nebraska’s offense isn’t too bad, ranking 87th in the country at 74.1 PPG, their defense is just awful. They rank near the bottom of the entire nation at 323rd in scoring defense and, critically, are 356th in defensive rebounding. 

So, we have one of the worst rebounding teams in the nation up against one of the best. Also, one team is on a tear while the other is on a three-game losing streak and getting crushed by average teams. If Rutgers can beat this team by 28, what is stopping Illinois from winning by 14? This game will be won on the glass and Illinois will dominate the rebounding game. 

Pick: Illinois -13 (-110)