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College Basketball

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Predictions, Picks, Odds

Michael Crosson
Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read

A Big 10 battle will take place on Wednesday as the Illinois Fighting Illini (18-6, 11-3 Big 10) travel to take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (15-9, 9-5 Big 10). Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. at Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway, New Jersey and can be viewed on the Big Ten Network. 

SCORE PREDICTION

Illinois 69, Rutgers 66 

BEST BETS

Rutgers +4 (-110) at Atlantis 

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI VS. RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS PREDICTIONS

The 12th ranked Fighting Illini defeated Northwestern 73-66 this past Sunday. Illinois did not handle the ball well, turning it over 20 times throughout the game. They were able to dominate the boards by out rebounding the Scarlet Knights 47-30, making it the 16th time the Fighting Illini have out rebounded their opponent this season. Illinois has now won five of their last six, losing only to Purdue during that span. Illinois is currently first in the Big 10 with a conference record of 11-3. 

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are coming off a 73-65 road win against the Wisconsin Badgers. Rutgers shot the ball extremely well, shooting 51 FG% and 58.3 3PT%. The Scarlet Knights have now won three straight games, all against ranked opponents and have now joined the bubble watch conversation for the NCAA tournament. Rutgers is currently sixth in the Big 10 with a conference record of 9-5. 

In the first matchup between these two teams the Fighting Illini dominated and won 86-51. However, Rutgers has managed to turn things around and are playing great basketball. Momentum is huge and college basketball and Rutgers has a lot of it. I’m not sure they win this game, but with home court advantage and getting points, I think Rutgers is the smart play here. Taking the points and the Scarlet Knights. 

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI VS. RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS BETTING ODDS

  • Illinois -4 (-110)
  • Rutgers +4 (-110)
  • Over 133.5 (-110)
  • Under 133.5 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI VS. RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS BETTING RESOURCES

  • Matchup: Big 10
  • Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2022
  • Venue: Jersey Mike's Arena
  • Location: Piscataway, New Jersey
  • TV-Time: BTN - 7:00 p.m. ET

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 18-6
  • ATS: 11-13
  • O/U: 14-9-1

Illinois has been a disappointment to bettors with an 11-13 ATS record. The Fighting Illini are 1-4 ATS in their last five road games and are 2-4 ATS in their last six games against Rutgers. The total has gone over 14 times for the Illini but has gone under in four of the last six. Going against the recent trend, the total has gone over in four of the last five games when Illinois plays Rutgers on the road. 

The Fighting Illini offense enters this matchup as the third highest scoring team in the Big 10. This season the Illini are averaging 76.6 PPG (55th), 15.6 APG (43rd), 45.9 FG% (84th), 36.6 3PT% (49th), and 40.3 RPG (17th). The focal point of Illinois's offense has been junior center Kofi Cockburn, who is averaging 21.5 PPG, 11.4 RPG, and shooting 60.7 FG%. In the first matchup against Rutgers, Illinois was able to out rebound the Scarlet Knights 47-33. Expect a similar performance on Wednesday. 

Illinois’s defense will have their hands full on Wednesday going against a Rutgers team that has shot 45.4 3PT% over their last three games. The Fighting Illini are allowing 66.3 PPG (94th), 40.1 FG% (32nd), 31.2 3PT% (81st), while averaging 5.1 SPG (308th), and 3.2 BPG (171st). Illinois needs to not let Rutgers get going offensively or allow any second chance buckets. 

RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 15-9
  • ATS: 11-21-1
  • O/U: 14-10

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have not been profitable on the season with a 11-13 ATS record. The Scarlet Knights have had more recent success, going 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five games. The total has gone over in 14 of Rutgers 24 games played and has gone over in seven of the last eight games played against Illinois. 

Rutgers's offense has been on a roll the last three games, shooting over 50 FG% and averaging 45.3 3PT% over the three-game span. Coming into this matchup the Scarlet Knights are averaging 68.4 PPG (248th), 15.8 APG (39th), 43.8 FG% (197th), 34.2 3PT% (165th), and 36.2 RPG (132nd). Rutgers's offense is led by senior forward Ron Harper Jr., who is averaging 15.7 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 1.8 APG. Expect the Scarlet Knights to continue the gameplan that’s been working, that being solid defense and efficient offensive shots. 

The most points Rutgers’s defense has allowed this season was the first matchup against Illinois when they gave up 87 points. Aside from that game, the defense has been pretty consistent. This season the Scarlet Knights are allowing 64.8 PPG (62nd), 41 FG% (64th), 34.6 3PT% (233rd), while averaging 7.4 SPG (92nd), and 4.2 BPG (71st). The key for the Scarlet Knights in this matchup will be to slow down Kofi Cockburn and not allow themselves to get dominated on the glass like they did in their first matchup against Illinois. 

Illinois is 2-6 ATS in its last eight games. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI

  • Record: 18-6
  • PS/G: 76.5 (55th)
  • PA/G: 66.2 (97th)
  • ORtg: 110.4 (32nd)
  • DRtg: 95.5 (81st)

INSIDE THE STATS - RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS

  • Record: 15-9
  • PS/G: 68.4 (254th)
  • PA/G: 64.8 (62nd)
  • ORtg: 102.1 (189th)
  • DRtg: 96.8 (116th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

  • ILL: Kofi Cockburn - C (21.5 PPG, 11.4 REB, 0.9 BLK)
  • ILL: Alfonso Plummer - G (15.4 PPG, 2.5 REB, 1.1 AST)
  • RUTG: Ron Harper Jr. - G (15.7 PPG, 6.1 REB, 1.8 AST)
  • RUTG: Clifford Omoruyi - C (11.4 PPG, 7.9 REB, 1.3 BLK)

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI VS. RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS BETTING CONCLUSION

Illinois has been playing great all season and Rutgers may have finally found their stride after a slow start. Expect this game to be much different than the first matchup. With three straight wins against top 25 opponents and how well Rutgers has played at home throughout the entire season, I like their chances to cover. Backing Rutgers at home in this matchup. 

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI VS. RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS BETTING TRENDS

  • Illinois is 2-6 ATS in its last eight games.
  • Rutgers is 4-2 ATS in its last six matchups against Illinois.
  • The total has gone UNDER in four of Illinois' last six games.
  • Rutgers is 4-1 ATS in its last five games.
  • The total has gone OVER in seven of the last eight matchups between Rutgers and Illinois.

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Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson
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