Unranked Maryland heads to Champaign to face #17 Illinois on Thursday night. The game is at 9:00 PM ET on FS1. Can Maryland cover the 9-point spread as road underdogs? Keep reading for our Maryland vs. Illinois prediction.
The Maryland Terrapins are 14-5 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 9-10 ATS this season.
The Illinois Fighting Illini are 13-5 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 9-9 ATS this season.
Maryland vs. Illinois Matchup & Betting Odds
829 Maryland Terrapins (+9) at 830 Illinois Fighting Illini (-9); o/u 157.5
9:00 p.m. ET, Thursday, January 23, 2025
State Farm Center, Champaign, IL
TV: FS1
Maryland vs. Illinois Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that 58% of public bettors are currently backing Maryland when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Maryland Terrapins Game Notes
Terrapins guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie was terrific in his team’s 69-66 win over Nebraska on Sunday afternoon. The Belmont transfer put up 22 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals in 36 minutes. Gillespie shot 8 of 15 from the field and 5 of 9 from long distance in the victory.
Maryland guard Rodney Rice also played well in his team’s game on Sunday. The Virginia Tech transfer recorded 15 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal, a blocked shot, and 2 made three-pointers. Rice is fourth on the team in scoring with 12.3 points per game this season.
Illinois Fighting Illini Game Notes
Fighting Illini forward Will Riley provided a spark off the bench in his team’s 80-78 loss to Michigan State on Sunday afternoon. In 26 minutes, the freshman from Kitchener, Ontario logged 19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and a blocked shot. Riley shot 7 of 17 from the field and 2 of 3 from beyond the arc in the loss.
Illinois guard Kylan Boswell stuffed the stat sheet in his team’s game on Sunday. The junior from Champaign, IL registered 13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal. Boswell is third on the club in scoring this season with 11.9 points per contest.
Maryland vs. Illinois CBB Betting Trends
Maryland is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games against Illinois.
The Terrapins are 7-6 ATS as a road underdog since the start of the 2023 season.
The over is 12-7 in Maryland’s games this season.
Illinois is 4-5-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Maryland vs. Illinois CBB Prediction:
After starting the season 12-3, Illinois has lost 2 of their last 3 games outright. The Fighting Illini lost 82-72 at home to USC on January 11th. Then the Fighting Illini beat Indiana on the road by a score of 94-69. Next, Illinois lost on the road at Michigan State, 80-78 last Sunday, January 19th. The loss to USC is concerning, as Illinois allowed the Trojans to shoot 52.3% from the floor. The Fighting Illini also permitted 46 points in the paint in that contest.
Maryland has two big men (center Derik Queen and forward Julian Reese) who will likely look to eat on the interior on Thursday. I believe that those two frontcourt players should score enough to keep the Terps competitive throughout. For that reason, I’m taking Maryland and the points on the road on Thursday night.