Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Odds, Picks, and Game Analysis

Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Odds, Picks, and Game Analysis

Rich Crew
Date: February 11, 7:00 pm
Location: State Farm Center
TV: Big Ten TV

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Penn State -2.5 / Illionois +2.5
Total: 146.5

<p>
The Illinois Fighting Illini (12-13) host the Penn State Nittany Lions (17-9) in a Big 10 game at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois on Sunday, February 11, 2018, at 7:00 PM ET. On the NCAA odds board, Penn State is listed as a -2.5-point road favorite with a total line of 146.5 points.
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<p>
In their last game, Penn State was at home where they hosted Maryland and got the 74-70 win but not the cover as a -4.5 home favorite. The total points scored by the two squads beat the 140 total number resulting in an OVER. In the match, Lamar Stephens was the high scorer for the Nittany Lions picking up 25 points on a sharp 10 of 12 shooting and teammate Tony Carr had 16 points and added six assists. Anthony Cowen was the high scorer for the Terrapins with 15 points on 4/7 shooting and four of five starters for the team went for double figures. Penn State shot an excellent 51.9% from the floor and won the turnover battle, but the Terrapins had a 54.3 FG% and a ridiculous 52.9% average from behind the arc to keep the game close. Penn State has been on a bit of a roll to move their Big Ten record into positive territory (7-6) winning back to back games and four of their last five.
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<p>
Illinois was at home in their latest where they were upset 78-69 by Wisconsin and had their backers tearing up their tickets as a -4.5 favorite. The 147 points put up on the board was an easy OVER win for totals bettors. Trent Frazier was the leading scorer for the Fighting Illini with 32 points on 10 of 20 shooting hitting seven of his 11 three-pointers, and Leron Black was the only other player for the squad to go for double figures with 13 points. Ethan Happ was the high scorer for the Badgers with 27 points on 12 of 20 shooting, and he also picked up eight assists and six rebounds. Illinois was in a trailing position the whole game but did come close in the early second half before fading. The team overall had a miserable shooting day with a 38.2 FG% from the floor and allowed Wisconsin to shoot 53.2%. After winning two straight games against some of the lesser conference teams Illinois has lost their last two games and are a disappointing 2-10 in Big 10 play.
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<p>
Penn State ranks 117th in the nation in ppg and 54th in opponents’ ppg, and Illinois ranks tied for 97th in ppg and tied for 179th in opponents’ ppg.
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<p>
This game is the first meeting between these teams this season, and last season Penn State beat Illinois twice.
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This season Penn State is 11-10-1 ATS with an O/U record of 10-12 and Illinois is 9-11-1 ATS with an O/U record of 8-12-1.
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<span style="font-size:16px;"><b><span style="color:#008000;">Get more details:</span></b></span> <a class="advblue" href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/ncaab/matchup/920971">Penn State at Illiois Betting Match-Up</a>
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<h2>
SAGARIN RATINGS<br />
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<p>
Penn State: 83.25<br />
Illinois: 78.53
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<h2>
INJURY REPORT<br />
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<p>
PENN STATE<br />
NONE
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<p>
ILLINOIS<br />
NONE
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<h2>
Key Betting Trends<br />
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<ul>
<li>
PSU is 4-1 ATS in their last five games
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<li>
PSU is 3-8 ATS in their previous 11 games after a straight up win
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<li>
PSU has an Over record of 4-1 in their last five road games
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<li>
ILL is 1-5 ATS in their previous six home games
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<li>
ILL is 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games after an ATS loss
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<li>
ILL has an Over record of 4-0-1 in their last five home games
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</ul>
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<span style="font-size:16px;"><strong><span style="color:#008000;">Search for the best line:</span></strong> <a class="advblue" href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/ncaab/odds">Live College Basketball Odds</a></span>
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<h2>
Betting Angles<br />
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<p>
Penn State is 18-7-2 ATS in their last 27 games against Illinois.
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<p>
Penn State is 9-2 ATS in their last 11 road games against Illinois.
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<p>
The underdog is 18-7-2 ATS in the last 27 games between these teams.
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In the last ten games between these teams, the Under record is 8-2.
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<p>
In the last seven games between these teams at Illinois, the Under record is 6-1.
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Penn State vs. Illinois 2/11/18 Betting Prediction

For totals bettors, I think this comes down to whether either team can defend the three? I believe that both sides will have their opportunities in this game. Penn State is competent from three-point land averaging a 57h ranked 38% from three-point land.  Nittany Lions Tony Carr has been sharp all season hitting 46.2% of his attempts and indeed isn't afraid to launch it with 30 efforts in his last five games and will go up against a team that allowed the Badgers to shoot 53.3%. PSU has had some issues lately with their 3-pt defense and case in point is a disastrous 52.9% permitted to Maryland. Illini Guard Trent Frazier can light it up from downtown when he's on his game and is coming off a 32 point game where he was successful on 7 of 11 from behind the arc.

Free Pick: Take the OVER 146.5
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