Illinois Fighting Illini vs Nebraska Cornhuskers Prediction, 1/30/2025 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Nebraska Cornhuskers

Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025

Location: Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, NE

TV: FS1

Pinnacle Bank Arena is the location where the Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-8) will try to defeat the Illinois Fighting Illini (14-6) on Thursday.

The Illinois Fighting Illini faced off with Northwestern and earned the victory with a final of 83-74 in their last game. Illinois walked away from the game having earned a 44.6% field goal percentage (29 of 65) and made 9 of 32 shots from distance. From the charity stripe, the Fighting Illini converted 16 of their 24 shots for a rate of 66.7%. When discussing hauling in boards, they collected 44 with 17 of them being of the offensive variety. They also distributed 18 assists for this game in addition to forcing 5 turnovers and getting 2 steals. In regard to the defense, Illinois allowed their opponent to shoot 44.1% from the floor on 30 of 68 shooting. Northwestern recorded 15 dimes and had 6 steals in the matchup. Moreover, Northwestern grabbed 24 boards (8 offensive, 16 defensive), but wrapped up the game with no rejections. Northwestern ended up shooting 66.7% from the free throw line by burying 4 of 6 tries. They also converted 10 of their 25 shots from 3-point land. Regarding personal fouls, the Fighting Illini ended up finishing with 10 and Northwestern accounted for 17 personal fouls.

Kylan Boswell is one guy who was a major factor in the game. He accounted for 17 points on 4 out of 8 shooting. He played 28 minutes played and snagged 6 rebounds. He ended up going 50.0% from the field and also dished out 4 assists.

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Illinois enters this one with a record of 14-6 for the season. They have an average of 85.8 points per game (6th in Division 1) on 44.5% from the field. The Fighting Illini are shooting 31.9% on three-point attempts (198 of 620) and 75.6% from the free throw line. As a unit, Illinois is snagging 45.0 boards per game and has 306 assists on the campaign, which is 114th in the country in terms of passing. They are turning it over 11.9 times per game and as a team they commit 16.3 personal fouls every game.

When they are on defense, the Fighting Illini have forced 10.4 turnovers per game and they draw 19.0 fouls. They relinquish 28.5% on shots from distance and they are 118th in the country in PPG allowed (69.5). The Fighting Illini are giving up a shooting percentage of 39.7% (518 of 1,306) and they surrender 33.5 rebounds per game as a team. They are ranked 35th in college in giving up assists with 221 surrendered this season.

The last time they took the court, the Nebraska Cornhuskers walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 83-55 when they faced Wisconsin. The Cornhuskers were able to corral 24 defensive boards and 6 offensive boards for a total of 30 in the game. They also turned the ball over 11 times, while recording 4 steals in this matchup. Wisconsin earned 11 fouls for the game which took the Cornhuskers to the free throw line for a total of 8 attempts. They were able to make 3 of the free throws for a clip of 37.5%. When it comes to three-point attempts, Nebraska made 10 out of 30 tries (33.3%). When the final whistle was blown, the Cornhuskers finished 21 for 62 from the floor which gave them a rate of 33.9%. The Cornhuskers allowed Wisconsin to make 30 out of their 63 attempts from the field which gave them a shooting percentage of 47.6% for the game. They went 45.9% from three-point range via 17 out of 37 and ended up shooting 6 out of 8 at the free throw line (75.0%). Concerning rebounding, Nebraska allowed Wisconsin to get 41 in total (3 on the offensive glass).

Brice Williams ended up having an impact for the Cornhuskers in the game. He made 4 out of 12 in this matchup giving him a field goal percentage of 33.3%, and added 3 rebounds. He had 11 points in his 28 mins on the hardwood and had 2 dimes for the game.

Nebraska has a record of 12-8 so far this year. When it comes to executing on offense, the Cornhuskers are hitting on 45.8% from the field, which has them ranked 134th in the nation. Nebraska has accounted for 1,507 points so far this year (75.4 per game) and they collect 36.2 rebounds per game. They are dishing out assists 13.8 times per contest (182nd in D-1) and they lose possession via turnover 12.2 times per game. The Cornhuskers are responsible for committing 15.6 personal fouls per contest and they hit 74.4% from the free throw line.

The Nebraska defense surrenders 34.1% on three-point shots (200 of 587) and their opponents are making 70.2% of their free throw shots. They allow 13.8 dimes and 34.7 rebounds every game, which is ranked 238th and 194th in D-1. The Cornhuskers on the defensive end are ranked 174th in Division 1 in PPG given up with 71.0. They are able to force 13.0 TO's per game and allow teams to shoot 41.7% from the floor (93rd in the nation).

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Illinois

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