Arguably one of the best NCAA basketball games today as the #17 ranked Illinois Fighting Illini take on the #2 Texas Longhorns.
Both teams have played exceptionally well this season and will look to continue dominating, as a win here could make Texas #1 and Illinois top 10.
NCAAB Standings
The college basketball standings show that both of these teams have more than enough to get the job done, making this a tough game to decide who we want to put money on.
Illinois comes into this one at 6-2 after a loss to Maryland, while Texas comes in unbeaten. Let’s break it down with our Illinois vs Texas best bets.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Texas Longhorns
- Date and Time: Tuesday, December 6, 7:00 p.m.
- Location: New York, New York
- Venue: Madison Square Garden
- How to Watch: ESPN
This Illinois Fighting Illini game might be their biggest one of the season for a few different reasons.
The Big 10 is one of the best conferences in the country, and they lost their first game of conference play. Because of that, they realize the opportunity they have on hand here.
A loss could take them out of the top 25, while a win might put them in the top 10. The college basketball injury report is clean for both teams, meaning we should see a good one here.
Last Game Records
Illinois’ Last Game Record
Illinois just lost to one of the best NCAA basketball teams in the country in their last game, as they lost by five against Maryland.
Maryland has some of the best college basketball players in the country, so it’s not surprising that they edged this one out.
Texas’ Last Game Record
Texas comes into this one after an impressive five-point win against the #21-ranked Creighton squad. The Texas Longhorns standings are impressive, but they must win to continue that.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Texas Longhorns Analysis
It’s tough to say that any game this week might be better than this one. The good ole fashioned Big-12 vs Big-10 games are typically some of the most fun of the year, and that’s exactly what we have on hand here.
Texas is going to have to continue doing what they’ve been able to do on both sides of the basketball if they want to win this game.
Both sides of the basketball have been elite for Texas this season, and that must continue if they want to beat Illinois because the Fighting Illini are elite.
Texas has some insane wins over Gonzaga and Creighton, so they’ve certainly beaten teams that are better or just as good as Illinois.
NCAAB Schedule
Their NCAAB schedule has been impressive, and Marcus Carr has been the guy that’s impressed me the most. He comes into this one after an impressive 19-point performance against Creighton.
Illinois also deserves some love for what they’ve done. With wins over UCLA, Syracuse, and some mid-major programs, they’ve also shown the ability to beat high-level teams.
Their two losses on the season, however, are against the two best teams that they’ve played in Virginia and Maryland.
While that’s not necessarily a concern because of how good Virginia and Maryland are, it’s something to keep in the back of our mind with our Illinois vs Texas best bets. If they couldn’t beat those teams, who’s to say that they can beat a squad like the Texas Longhorns?
Odds Breakdown for Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Texas Longhorns
Texas Longhorns Odds
The NCAAB odds coming into this game favor Texas at -2.5. This is a respectable line, as Texas and Illinois are two of the top teams in America.
However, I think this line is a bit too low, and it should favor Texas at around -4.5 or -5. The moneyline for Texas is slotted at -145, and the under is 140.5
Illinois Fighting Illini Odds
Illinois comes in at +2.5, and that means the books are giving them some love despite those two losses on the season.
While that’s questionable, there’s a reason they think they’re only 2.5 worse than Texas. Their moneyline is +125, and the over is 140.5.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Texas Longhorns Betting Pick and Prediction
Our Illinois vs Texas best bets for this game prediction are going to be rocking the Texas moneyline and Texas -2.5. -2.5 will get us -110 odds, and the moneyline will see us with -145 odds.
While those odds aren’t much of a difference, I love the -2.5 and think Texas wins this game by at least four points. Illinois has enough to get the job done, but I love Texas in this one.
NCAAB Pick: Texas -2.5 (-110)
NCAAB Pick: Texas (-145)
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