15* Indiana/Illinois ESPN No-Brainer on Illinois +7.5

Indiana vs. Illinois, 02/07/2013 19:00 EDT, Score: 72 - 74

Point Spread: +7½/-102 Illinois

Sportsbook: 5Dimes

Result: Win

The Illini realize they need to get things turned around in a hurry if they want to make the NCAA Tournament. Remember, this is the same team that started 12-0 with double-digit wins over Butler (78-61), Gonzaga (85-74) and Ohio State (74-55), so they have proven they can beat some of the best teams in the country.

Indiana is clearly in a letdown spot after its huge win over No. 1 Michigan on Saturday. College Gameday was there, so the stage really doesn’t get any bigger than that. After getting patted on the back all week leading up to this game, the Hoosiers will come out flat tonight, and they won't be able to run away with this game because of it.

The home team has won four straight meetings in this series. Illinois has won five of its last seven meetings with Indiana. The home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

Indiana is 9-24 ATS in road games after playing 5 consecutive games as favorite since 1997. Tom Crean is 3-13 ATS in road games after successfully covering the spread in 2 or more consecutive games as the coach of Indiana. Crean is 2-11 ATS in road games after 3 straight games where they made 47% of their shots or better in all games he has coached. The Hoosiers are simply overvalued here. Take Illinois Thursday.