Illinois vs. Penn State Big Ten Tournament Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 9, 2023

The No. 7 seed Illinois Fighting Illini (20-11, 11-9 Big Ten) are favored by 2.5 points in their Big Ten Tournament matchup against the No. 10 seed Penn State Nittany Lions (19-12, 10-10 Big Ten) on Thursday at United Center, starting at 6:30 PM on Big Ten Network. The winner will move one step closer to earning an automatic spot in the NCAA Tournament bracket. The matchup has an over/under set at 140 points.

Illinois vs. Penn State Odds

• Illinois odds to win: -141
• Penn State odds to win: +119
• Spread: Illinois (-2.5)
• Total: 140

Illinois vs. Penn State Promo Codes

Game Time and Information

• Date: Thursday, March 9, 2023
• Time: 6:30 PM ET
• TV: Big Ten Network
• Where: Chicago, Illinois
• Venue: United Center

Who Will Win Illinois vs. Penn State?

Illinois and Penn State Betting Trends, Records Against the Spread

Illinois has a 12-11 record against the spread this season when favored by 2.5 points or more.

Penn State has a 6-4 record against the spread this year when an underdog by 2.5 points or more.

These teams average 147 points per game combined, seven more than the total of 140.

Illinois and Penn State have seen their opponents average a combined 5.2 fewer points per game than the over/under of 140 set for this game.

The average total for Illinois’ games this year is 1.2 more points than the total of 140 in this game.

The average over/under in Nittany Lions games this year is 0.5 more points than the point total of 140 for this outing.

The Fighting Illini have an 18-13-0 record against the spread this season.

So far this season, the Nittany Lions have put together a 16-14-1 record against the spread.

Illinois Stats & Insights

Illinois’ +249 scoring differential (outscoring opponents by eight points per game) is a result of scoring 74.6 points per game (113th in college basketball) while allowing 66.6 per outing (76th in college basketball).

Illinois ranks 22nd in the nation at 35.6 rebounds per game. That’s 5.4 more than the 30.2 its opponents average.

The Fighting Illini connect on 7.7 three-pointers per game (139th in college basketball), 1.7 more than their opponents (6). They are shooting 31% from deep (333rd in college basketball) while allowing opponents to shoot 33.4%.

Illinois ranks 152nd in college basketball by averaging 94.8 points per 100 possessions on offense, and defensively is 29th in college basketball, allowing 84.6 points per 100 possessions.

The Fighting Illini are averaging 77.5 points per game at home. Away from home, they are averaging 70 points per contest.

Penn State Stats & Insights

Penn State outscores opponents by 4.2 points per game (posting 72.4 points per game, 167th in college basketball, and allowing 68.2 per contest, 123rd in college basketball) and has a +130 scoring differential.

Penn State falls short in the rebound battle by an average of three boards. It grabs 29.6 rebounds per game (295th in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 32.6.

Penn State knocks down 10.8 three-pointers per game (second-most in college basketball) while shooting 38.9% from beyond the arc (eighth-best in college basketball). It is making 3.2 more threes than its opponents, who drain 7.6 per game at 34.6%.

Penn State ranks 18th in college basketball averaging 101.7 points per 100 possessions on offense, and defensively is 292nd, allowing 95.8 points per 100 possessions.

In 2022-23 the Nittany Lions are averaging 7.5 more points per game at home (75.9) than on the road (68.4).

Illinois Key Players to Watch

The Fighting Illini leader in rebounds and assist is Coleman Hawkins, who pulls down 6.4 rebounds and gives out three assists per game along with scoring 9.6 points per contest.

Terrence Shannon Jr. is Illinois’ leading scorer, averaging 17.1 per game while tacking on 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

The Fighting Illini get the most three-point shooting production out of Matthew Mayer, who makes 2.2 threes per game.

Shannon and Mayer lead Illinois on the defensive end, with Shannon leading the team in steals averaging 1.3 per game and Mayer in blocks averaging 1.3 per contest.

Penn State Key Players to Watch

Jalen Pickett is at the top of nearly all of the Nittany Lions’ leaderboards by putting up 18 points, 7.3 rebounds and seven assists per game.

Andrew Funk is dependable from distance and leads the Nittany Lions with 2.9 made threes per game.

Penn State’s leader in steals is Pickett with one per game, and its leader in blocks is Seth Lundy with 0.6 per game.

Illinois vs. Penn State Prediction

• Pick ATS:

  Penn State (+2.5)
  

• Pick OU:

  Over (140)
  

• Prediction:
  Illinois 71, Penn State 70

How to Bet on Illinois vs. Penn State

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