No. 13 Illinois will take on a Penn State team that has given the Fighting Illini issues in previous meetings. Read on for our Penn State vs. Illinois Big Ten Conference matchup prediction.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
Penn State Nittany Lions (+10) at Illinois Fighting Illini (-10); o/u 163.5
9:00 p.m. ET, Wednesday, January 7, 2025
State Farm Center, Champaign, IL
TV: BTN
Penn State vs. Illinois Public Betting: Bettors Taking Underdog
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that 63% of public bettors are currently backing Tennessee 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.
PSU’s Kern scores 21 points vs. Indiana
Nick Kern had 21 points (8-13 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 4-6 FT), three rebounds, one assist and two steals across 31 minutes during Sunday’s 77-71 loss to Indiana. Kern caught fire off the bench during Sunday’s game against the Hoosiers, converting on 8-of-13 looks from the field, but his hot hand was not enough to overcome strong outings from Oumar Ballo and Mackenzie Mgbako in the contest. The 6-foot-6 senior continues to light it up off the bench this season, averaging 12.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 steals on 23.9 minutes per game. Kern currently boasts a sensational 65.7/40.0/76.9 shooting line on the season.
White registers 17 points in win
Tre White registered 17 points (7-13 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 3-5 FT), seven rebounds and one steal across 29 minutes during Sunday’s 81-77 win over Washington. White converted on 7-of-13 looks from the field, closing with 17 points, seven rebounds and a steal during Sunday’s win over the Huskies. The 6-foot-7 junior transfer from Louisville has been effective in his first year with the Fighting Illini, averaging 10.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and one assist across 14 starts. White has been extremely efficient shooting the ball this season, knocking down 56 percent of his looks from the field.
Penn State vs. Illinois CBB Prediction:
Take Penn State. The Nittany Lions have won the last four matchups between this conference rivals. In all four instances, the Nittany Lions were the underdog. Penn State is also 7-3 against the spread in the last 10 meetings between these two teams. They’ve been on a downturn recently, failing to cover in seven out of their last 10 games overall, which includes dropping four straight at the window. Still, given the Nittany Lions’ success in previous meetings between these two teams, I’m rolling the dice with PSU.
Penn State vs. Illinois College Hoops Prediction: Penn State Nittany Lions +10