Illinois Fighting Illini (19-6) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (12-14)
February 21, 2024 6:30 pm EDT
The Line: Penn State Nittany Lions +7.5; Over/Under: +156.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Illinois Fighting Illini will play the Penn State Nittany Lions in a Big Ten game on Wednesday night at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania. Illinois has won five of their last six games, while Penn State is on a three game losing streak. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Illinois vs Penn State prediction.
Illinois Preview
The Illinois Fighting Illini are 19-6 (10-4) this season after they defeated Maryland by a score of 85-80 in their last game. Illinois led 43-38 at halftime and they scored 42 points in the second half in the win. The Fighting Illini shot 48% from the field and were -5 in rebounding margin in the game. Illinois defeated Michigan by a score of 97-68 in the game prior to Maryland, but lost to Michigan State before that. The Fighting Illini are scoring 83.1 points per game with 42.2 rebounds per game and 13 assists per game, while allowing 70.7 points against per game this year. Terrence Shannon Jr. is averaging 21.4 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game, and 2.4 assists per game. Illinois is shooting 46.4% from the field, 74.2% on free throws, and 34.3% on three pointers this season.
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Penn State Preview
The Penn State Nittany Lions are 12-14 (6-9) this year after they lost to Nebraska by a score of 68-49 in their last game. Penn State trailed 28-22 at the half and they allowed 40 points in the second half in the loss. The Nittany Lions shot 33.3% from the field and were -11 in rebounding margin in the game. Penn State lost to MSU by a score of 80-72 and Northwestern by a score of 68-63 in the two games prior to Nebraska. The Nittany Lions are scoring 74.8 points per game with 31.5 rebounds per game and 12.2 assists per game, while giving up 73.3 points against per game this season. Ace Baldwin Jr. is averaging 14 points per game, 2.2 rebounds per game, and 5.3 assists per game. Penn State is shooting 43.8% from the field, 74.2% on free throws, and 32.7% on three pointers this year.
Illinois vs Penn State Betting Prediction
Penn State comes into this matchup on a three game losing streak and they are coming off of a loss to Nebraska, where they only scored 49 points. The Nittany Lions are only shooting 43.8% from the field, but they do tend to play better at home. Illinois has won five of their last six games and they are currently second in the Big Ten standings. The Fighting Illini have scored at least 80 points in five straight games, but they have also allowed quite a few points in that span. Take the over here.
