Illinois

Rutgers at Illinois odds, picks and predictions

Published

2 years ago

January 21, 2024

Payton Shanks
| Staff Writer

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-7, 2-4 Big Ten) visit the No. 14 Illinois Fighting Illini (13-4, 4-2) Sunday. Tip-off from State Farm Center is set for 1 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Rutgers vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

Rutgers won 87-82 in OT vs. the Nebraska Cornhuskers Wednesday while covering as a 3-point home favorite. Rutgers, which allows only 65.4 points per game, has allowed 80-plus points in 2 of its last 4 games. The Scarlet Knights have won back-to-back home games, but are 0-3 in their last 3 true road games.

Illinois, which is No. 14 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, picked up an 88-73 win over the Michigan Wolverines Thursday while covering as a 2.5-point road favorite. Illinois continues to be a top team in the nation offensively, averaging 82.1 PPG. The Fighting Illini have won 3 of the last 5.

Illinois beat Rutgers 76-58 on Dec. 2 at Jersey Mike’s Arena.

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Rutgers at Illinois odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:08 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Rutgers +590 (bet $100 to win $590) | Illinois -900 (bet $900 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Rutgers +12.5 (-110) | Illinois -12.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Rutgers at Illinois picks and predictions

Prediction

Illinois 78, Rutgers 65

Moneyline

PASS.

Illinois (-900) will pick up the win here, but is not worth betting on as such a heavy favorite. Bet on the spread and/or total instead.

Against the spread

LEAN ILLINOIS -12.5 (-110).

Illinois has covered ATS in back-to-back matchups vs. Rutgers and is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 meetings with the Scarlet Knights. Illinois is also 7-1-2 ATS in its last 10 overall and is the much better ATS team this year. being 10-5-2 while Rutgers is 8-9.

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Over/Under

LEAN UNDER 145.5 (-110).

The Under has hit in 2 of Rutgers’ last 3 games and has been the much safer play for the Scarlet Knights this year (12-5). The Under has also hit in 3 consecutive meetings between these squads.

I like this Illinois defense to hold this weak Rutgers offensive team to less than 70 points, which makes this game very likely to hit the Under. But it is only a lean because the Over has been safer for the Fighting Illini recently and overall this year (9-7-1).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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Illinois

Illinois basketball vs VCU how to watch, series history, and players to watch

Published

5 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

Illinois basketball vs VCU how to watch, series history, and players to watch

Illinois basketball got a big win on Thursday night, but the celebrating is now over, as VCU awaits.

The Illini looked incredible against Penn. This is exactly what I was hoping for, and now Illinois gets a chance to knock off another double-digit seed to advance to the Sweet 16.

VCU is clearly tough, though. They knocked off a talented North Carolina squad in the first round, and now they have even more confidence. Illinois has to be ready for a battle.

Here is the Illinois basketball vs VCU how to watch, series history, and players to watch

Illinois basketball vs VCU – How to watch

Illinois moved on to the Round of 32, and the No. 3 seed will now face No. 11 VCU. This is a massive game that will decide which program moves on to the second weekend and the Sweet 16.

The Illinois vs VCU contest will take place on Saturday, March 21, at 6:50 p.m. CT/7:50 p.m. ET. We get the main channel, as CBS will televise the big matchup.

Illinois basketball vs VCU – Series history

I want to say there is a long history between Illinois and VCU. These two teams have been around the basketball universe for a while, but there has only ever been one matchup.

Illinois and VCU played in Miami, Florida, back in December 2016. Led by some incredible defense, the Illini took out the Rams, 64-46.

So, what I am saying is that Illinois is undefeated against VCU.

Illinois basketball vs VCU – Players to watch

I think the first player you have to recognize is Terrence Hill Jr. Illinois is familiar with getting to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament with a Terrance Shannon Jr., but it seems that Hill is just as electric.

In the game against North Carolina, Hill was going off. He can shoot from anywhere, and he has the stones to just lob shots up when you are least expecting it. For the season, he is averaging 14.9 points per game, but he showed up in a big way in the biggest spotlight against the Tar Heels, dropping 34 points and shooting 7-of-10 from three-point range.

I am interested in seeing how VCU’s big man, Lazar Djokovic, does against Illinois’ size. He stands at 6-foot-11, and I was impressed with Djokovic against North Carolina. This kid can play.

Illinois could give VCU some problems with our size. Throwing two 7-foot-1 or bigger players at them could cause problems. I think the Illini guard length will also be a bit of a shock.

I think David Mirkovic could feast once again. Djokovic might be wrapped up in guarding Tomislav Ivisic, so Mirkovic can bully his way into the paint. That might end up being the game plan on Saturday.

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Illinois

Joliet City Council approves plans for Illinois’ largest data center

Published

17 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

Joliet City Council approves plans for Illinois’ largest data center

March 19, 2026 / 6:57 PM CDT
/ CBS Chicago

The Joliet City Council on Thursday approved plans for a 795-acre data center, which would be the largest such facility in Illinois.

The proposed site would go in a rural field right next to the Chicagoland Speedway at the intersection of Rowell and Bernhard roads. That’s where 24 buildings housing the equipment would be built. The developer, HW Technology Park Development LLC, said the project would be up and running in 2030.

“This annexation agreement sets clear expectations for infrastructure, services, and community benefits while helping ensure the project moves forward in a responsible way,” Joliet City Manager Beth Beatty said in a statement. “It also delivers substantial new revenue for local taxing bodies and longterm financial benefits for the community.”

At a public hearing on the data center on Monday, Joliet officials listened to several hours of comments from the public, mostly from people opposed to the data center over concerns about its impact on health and utility bills.

“I just want to make sure that when we make decisions that are huge like this, that we have all the information,” said Sean Richards, who lives in neighboring Lockport and believes the new data center would have broader impacts and health risks for kids. “The people in here that are voting yes or no, I did not elect them, but yet they are making decisions that will directly affect people in Lockport, and New Lenox, and in Elwood and other municipalities.”

ComEd officials said the energy needed to keep the center operating would not raise electric bills for residents or businesses. The developer said no water would be needed to cool the facility, only to get it up and running. They also said it could bring Joliet $2 billion in tax revenue.

Joliet officials estimated the project would create 7,000 to 10,000 construction jobs and 700 permanent jobs. The developer also has pledged $100 million to improve sidewalks, streets, and other city services in Joliet.

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Keaton Wagler NBA mock draft projection: Where Illinois star is expected to land

Published

1 day ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

Keaton Wagler NBA mock draft projection: Where Illinois star is expected to land

March Madness is underway and today’s college stars have a chance to cement themselves in this summer’s NBA draft class. The 2026 draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Illinois’ Keaton Wagler is expected to go in the first round.

Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the guard’s draft night will play out.

Keaton Wagler 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 7 overall, Atlanta Hawks

All picks based on Tankathon lottery projection

Kalbrosky’s Analysis:

After trading away Trae Young, the Hawks could find their point guard of the future in Illinois standout Keaton Wagler using a first-round pick they received from the Pelicans. The 19-year-old guard scored 46 points while shooting 9-of-11 on 3-pointers against No. 12 Purdue on Jan. 24. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, shooting 41.0 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman this year. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year is a cerebral basketball player who is also averaging 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game this season.

See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here