#19 Illinois vs Indiana: Odds, Predictions & Key Insights | January 14, 2025
Written by: Colby Marchio
Last Update: Wed Jan 15, 2025, 10:18 am ET
Read Time: 4 minutes
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No. 19 Illinois heads to Bloomington tonight to face Indiana in a pivotal Big Ten matchup. Both teams are desperate to bounce back after recent losses, but injuries to key players could shape the outcome. With Illinois boasting one of its best rosters in years and Indiana's home-court advantage, this game promises to be a tightly contested showdown.
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#19 Illinois vs Indiana Odds
How will Indiana handle one of the Big Ten's best?
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Spread
Illinois: -3.5 (-115)
Indiana: +3.5 (-105)
Total
Over: 157.5 (-110)
Under: 157.5 (-110)
Moneyline
Illinois: -165
Indiana: +145
#19 Illinois vs Indiana Bet
One of the more intriguing games tonight features No. 19 Illinois traveling to Bloomington to face the Indiana Hoosiers. Both teams are coming off losses and looking to rebound. Injuries are affecting both squads, with Illinois star guard Kasparas Jakucionis dealing with a forearm injury and listed as questionable, while Indiana forward Malik Reneau is also questionable with a knee issue—both crucial to their teams' success.
Whether I back the Hoosiers at home will be a game-time decision, but it feels like the right side. The injury report will dictate my final choice, so here are two leans for tonight's Big Ten showdown in Bloomington.
Homebody Hoosiers
Haslametrics gives Indiana a significant home-court advantage, ranking them ninth best at home. However, Indiana is also ranked 137th in consistency. Meanwhile, Illinois ranks 310th on the road and is among the 20 worst in consistency nationwide.
Indiana is a team that thrives at home. They boast a very efficient defense, ranked in the top 50 in most categories. Their main defensive weakness is forcing turnovers, where they rank 270th at home. Otherwise, they excel at locking down the perimeter and interior, staying disciplined without fouling, and dominating the boards. Offensively, Indiana is 96th in adjusted efficiency, thriving inside but struggling from deep. They rank 245th in three-point percentage and 327th in three-point attempts. These offensive struggles push me toward leaning on the under in this game.
This Illinois team may be the best we have seen in years. The Fighting Illini have it all: an offense ranked 24th in adjusted efficiency and a defense ranked ninth. They feature a lockdown defense that is top 15 in both two-point and three-point defense. Like Indiana, Illinois struggles to force turnovers, ranking fourth worst on the road in that category.
Although both teams are ranked in the top 65 for tempo, Indiana may need to slow the pace to limit Illinois' possessions. Indiana knows they have the inferior offense, while Illinois' is clearly superior. If the Hoosiers can turn this into a slower, more defensive game, they can keep it competitive.
With injuries still unresolved, my final decision will depend on the updates. If both Jakucionis and Reneau are ruled out, I am taking the under. If Reneau plays, I am leaning Hoosiers (+3.5). If Jakucionis plays, I am staying out altogether. This Illinois team is dangerous, capable of racking up 100 points with ease, especially in a fast-tempo game.
Leans: Indiana (+3.5) & Under 157.5 on BetOnline
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Former D1 (club) baseball player, Colby has been betting since his college days at DePaul, where he had to endure the worst collegiate basketball the Big East has ever seen. He is an advanced analytics nerd and has never seen an underdog he has not liked. Hot. Corn. Bull. It does not matter the dog he loves them all.
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