Fighting Illini vs. Nittany Lions Prediction
The ninth-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions are the surprise of the Big Ten Conference this season. Can PSU notch another big win tonight as it hosts the Illinois Fighting Illini?
Game Snapshot
605 Illinois Fighting Illini at 606 Penn State Nittany Lions
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Bryce Jordan Center at 6:30PM ET
TV: FS1
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According to oddsmakers, the Nittany Lions are a 6-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is set at 139.5 points. As of Tuesday morning, 59 percent of public bets are being placed on host Penn State. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Fighting Illini drop fourth straight
Illinois fell by a score of 72-57 Saturday to drop to 16-9 overall and 8-6 in conference action. The Fighting Illini were outscored 38-25 in the second half of the defeat. Alan Griffin led Illinois with 14 points on 3-of-11 shooting including 3-of-6 from 3-point distance plus 5-of-5 at the free throw line. He also pulled down six rebounds. Kofi Cockburn accounted for 10 points, 10 boards and three steals. Andres Feliz added 10 points, five caroms and four assists.
Nittany Lions win eighth in a row
Penn State earned a 77-61 home victory Saturday against Northwestern to improve to 20-5 overall and 10-4 in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions led 42-28 at halftime en route to the win. Lamar Stevens led PSU with 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting including 2-of-6 from 3-point distance plus 5-of-6 at the charity stripe. He also notched seven rebounds and two assists. Myles Dread accounted for 16 points, four boards, four assists and two steals. Jamari Wheeler had 11 points, six dimes, four rebounds and two steals. Mike Watkins added 11 points and nine caroms.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Illinois
The Fighting Illini are 45-27 ATS in their last 72 February road games. Illinois is 0-3 ATS in the last three meetings.
Penn State
The favorite is 18-8-2 ATS in the last 28 meetings. The Nittany Lions are 18-8 ATS in this season.
Prediction:
Penn State has risen to the challenge no matter the venue or opponent lately and it’s hard not to like the hosts considering the struggling opponent. The Nittany Lions are a notch better than the Fighting Illini on both ends of the court and it should not be too difficult to shake a pressing team out of their comfort zone.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL DAILY PREDICTION: PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS -6