Maryland vs #17 Illinois: Odds, Predictions & Key Insights | January 23, 2025
Written by: Colby Marchio
Published: Thu Jan 23, 2025, 11:40 am ET
Read Time: 4 minutes
ncaab
Game of the Night: The Fighting Illini are back under the spotlight in what promises to be a pivotal Big Ten showdown. After a heartbreaking loss to Michigan State, Illinois looks to regain its momentum and defend its home court against a Maryland team that continues to struggle on the road. With both teams carrying drastically different narratives into this contest, the stage is set for Illinois to make a statement in front of their home crowd.
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Maryland vs #17 Illinois Odds
Can Illinois bounce back after a tough loss to Michigan State?
Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, a longtime fixture among the top online sports betting sites. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then bag a big bonus (100% if your first deposit is with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or another cryptocurrency) to bet on College Basketball games.
Spread
Maryland: +7.5 (-110)
Illinois: -7.5 (-110)
Total
Over: 158 (-110)
Under: 158 (-110)
Moneyline
Maryland: +250
Illinois: -300
Maryland vs #17 Illinois Best Bet
It is time for No. 17 Illinois to get back into the Fighting Illini groove after their tough 80-78 loss to Michigan State on Sunday. Prior to that defeat, Illinois was on a roll, winning seven of their last ten games and looking like one of the most well-rounded teams in the country. Now, they face the Maryland Terrapins, a team whose advanced analytics paint a much brighter picture than their actual performance.
Overrated Maryland
The Terrapins are an analytics darling with little to show for it. On the road this season, Maryland is 0-4, with all losses coming against top 100 teams. Yet, they somehow hold the 23rd-best adjusted offensive efficiency. Their defense, however, is a glaring weakness, ranking 274th in effective field goal percentage defense, 236th in turnover defense, and 328th in three-point defense. According to Haslametrics, Maryland is the seventh-worst team in the country when playing away from home, while Illinois ranks as the 85th-best home team. The Terrapins have no notable wins away from home, aside from Villanova on November 24th. Beyond that, they have suffered defeats to Purdue, Washington, Oregon, and Northwestern.
Illinois is Legit
The Fighting Illini are also analytics darlings, but unlike Maryland, they are the real deal. Ranked as the fourth-best team by Bart Torvik, Illinois has been dominant at home. Their defense is one of the most efficient in the nation, ranking third in adjusted defensive efficiency, effective field goal percentage defense, and two-point defense. On offense, they are no slouch either, ranking 61st in adjusted offensive efficiency, 16th in rebounding, and 70th in two-point percentage.
The last time Illinois played at home, they fell by ten points to USC. This team should be fired up to bounce back after their road loss to Michigan State and get a win for the home crowd. The betting line has fluctuated over the last 24 hours, opening at Illinois -7.5, climbing to -10, and now returning to the original number. Do not let the line concern you in this matchup. Illinois should win comfortably by double digits at home tonight.
I-L-L!
Best Bet: Illinois (-7.5) 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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