Looking to win big? The Scarlet Knights and Fighting Illini face off at 1:00 ET on BTN. The Fighting Illini are hosting the game at State Farm Center in Champaign, IL. The over/under for this Big Ten conference contest is set at 143 points, with the Fighting Illini being the favored team playing at home against the Scarlet Knights.

RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS VS ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI BETTING PICK

The Pick: Rutgers Scarlet Knights +12.5

This game will be played at State Farm Center at 1:00 ET on Sunday, January 21st.

WHY BET THE RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 75-69 in favor of the Fighting Illini.
  • Even though we have Illinois winning straight-up, we like Rutgers at +12.5.
  • The over/under is currently sitting at 143 points, and we like the over with a projected 144 points.

No Pressure for Rutgers as Away Dogs

So far this season, Rutgers has been much better at home, going 8-3 compared to 1-4 on the road. As an underdog, the Scarlet Knights are just 1-5, and they have lost their last three games away from home.

After a 73-55 loss to Michigan State, Rutgers’ record is now 10-7. In Big Ten play, the Scarlet Knights are just 1-4, and they are 4-6 in their last 10 games on the road.

As the underdog this season, Rutgers has an ATS record of 2-4. On the road, the Scarlet Knights are 2-3 vs. the spread this year. Over their last 10 games as the underdog, Rutgers has gone 6-4 ATS.

So far this season, the over/under record in Rutgers games is 4-12. Today’s over/under line of 143 is higher than the average over/under line in their games (137). Over their last three games, the average scoring total is 139 points compared to the season average of 131.8 points per game.

In contrast to their season average of 68.6 points per game, the Rutgers had a below average performance. They scored 55 points against Michigan State and had a field goal percentage of 37%. Aundre Hyatt is the current leading scorer for the team, with an average of 12.3 as they approach today’s matchup. In addition, Clifford Omoruyi brings a PPG average of 10.2 into the game.

The Scarlet Knights’ defense is presently ranked 40th nationally, allowing an average of 65.4 points per contest. On average, opposing teams are hitting 7.5 threes per game vs. Illinois. This has come on three-point shooting percentage of 33.0%.

Is a Home Win Possible for the Fighting Illini?

Illinois enters this game as the favorite, as they have been the favorite in 13 of their 17 games this season. So far, they have gone 11-2 in those games. At home, the Fighting Illini have been even better, going 10-2 compared to their 3-2 record on the road.

After defeating Michigan 88-73 in their last game, Illinois’ overall record now stands at 13-4. In Big Ten play, they are 4-2, and they have gone 9-2 in non-conference action.

Illinois has an ATS record of 9-6-2 this season and they are 5-6-1 vs. the spread at home. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, the Fighting Illini are 6-3-1 ATS. In their last 3 games at home, Illinois has gone 1-2 vs. the spread.

Illinois’ over/under record this season is 10-7 and the average scoring total in their games is 149.8 points. Today’s over/under line of 143 is lower than the average OU line in their games (146.8). Over their last three games, the average scoring total is 147 points and their OU record over their last 10 games is 8-2.

Illinois’ offense is coming off a strong performance vs. Michigan, finishing the game with a total of 88 points. Their season average is now 82.1 points per game. Leading the team in scoring is Marcus Domask, who is averaging 14.9 heading into today’s matchup. Additionally, Terrence Shannon Jr. also maintains a PPG average of 21.7 heading into game.

Coming into today’s game, the Illinois defense is giving up an average of 67.8 points per contest. The Illinois defense is coming off a game in which they gave up a total of 73 points and allowed Michigan to connect on 3 threes.