Illinois vs. Rutgers Prediction and Odds (Can Rutgers Keep Home Magic Alive?)

Rutgers continues to find a way to win, now entering the NCAA Tournament discussion as an at-large candidate after winning at home against Michigan State and Ohio State, followed up by a road win at Wisconsin this past weekend.

Now, they will host Big Ten contender Illinois, who has a National Player of the Year candidate in Kofi Cockburn and a well balanced profile around shooting talent like Trent Frazier and Alfonso Plummer.

The Illini are the better team, but Rutgers is dynamite at home, 12-2 straight up at Jersey Mike's Arena on the year, and also frisky as an underdog, 8-3 against the spread (ATS). Here are the odds for the Big Ten matchup from WynnBET Sportsbook.

Illinois vs. Rutgers Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

• Illinois: -3.5 (-110)
• Rutgers: +3.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Illinois: -160
• Rutgers: +145

Total: 133.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Illinois vs. Rutgers Prediction and Pick

While Rutgers may have some magic cooking at home, I actually fancy the Illini in this matchup due to their ability to generate sound offense and stops in different ways. Around Cockburn, the Illini are top 65 in both three-point percentage and two-point percentage this season.

The team has a strong shot profile that is focused on high percentage two's around the rim with an elite big man in Cockburn and three's with someone like Plummer, who is shooting 40% from deep.

Further, on defense, the team runs teams off the 3-point line and into the length of Cockburn. That should be an issue for Rutgers, who is shooting 48% on two's this season which is around the bottom 100 nationally.

The Scarlett Knights are shooting red-hot from three in conference play up over 38% which is second best in the Big 10, but the Illini cut that shot off and should force the offense into a ton of inefficient shots.

While many are rushing to back Rutgers as home underdogs again after three straight wins over ranked foes, I am selling high on Steve Pikiell's squad against the best team in the Big Ten in my opinon.

PICK: Illinois -3.5

All of Reed's college basketball plays can be tracked here, his best bets column for college basketball is 62-57-3 for +2.2 units.