Illinois
Rutgers at Illinois odds, picks and predictions
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.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
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.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
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.
Follow @payton_shanks on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin /
College Sports Wire: Men’s hoops / Women’s hoops / High School
Illinois
Ted Dabrowski running for Illinois Gov. | The Chicago Report
Believe it or not – we are only weeks away from early voting here in the 2026 primary elections. There are several contested races to think about – one of them is the race for Governor. J.B. Pritzker is uncontested on the democratic side to seek a third term leading Illinois. But several candidates are vying to be the nominee on the republican side – and tonight we meet one, Ted Dabrowski – a North Shore businessman and former policy analyst for the publication Wirepoints.
Illinois
Fire sweeps through apartment building, displaces residents in Woodridge, Illinois
People ran out of their homes into the cold overnight Tuesday into Wednesday after a fire broke out in an apartment building in the western Chicago suburb of Woodridge.
The fire broke out in a multi-family building at 7900 Janes Ave., near Forest Drive.
Smoke was seen billowing as firefighters stood on the roof.
One firefighter suffered minor injuries fighting the blaze, according to the Lisle-Woodridge Fire Protection District.
Fire officials said several units have major damage, and the families who reside in them have been displaced.
The American Red Cross was assisting the displaced residents Wednesday morning.
Illinois
Illinois Racing Board suspends Hawthorne Race Course’s license, putting future in jeopardy
STICKNEY, Ill. (WLS) — The future of racing at Hawthorne Race Course in south suburban Stickney is in jeopardy.
The Illinois Racing Board suspended its harnesses racing license. In a letter sent Monday to Hawthorne’s president and general manager, the state agency said the track failed to prove its financial integrity.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
Jeff Davis, president of the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association, says the past two months have been rough.
“We don’t really know details, but what we do know is people have not been paid since before Christmas,” Davis said.
Davis says checks started bouncing, which led to races being canceled over the past few weekends.
SEE ALSO | Hawthorne Race Course not offering window betting for Kentucky Derby amid Churchill Downs dispute
“Six weeks ago, they couldn’t cash a $400 check to a trainer,” Davis said.
The remaining three races left this season are unlikely unless Hawthorne owners can prove financial stability. Hawthorne officials have not returned messages seeking comment on the issue. But it is just one of many issues facing the track. There has been an effort for nearly six years to get an approved casino up and running, but the owners cannot find a partner.
“Horse racing in every state now only survives because it has additional forms of revenue from casinos, slot machines,” said Paulick Report Publisher Ray Paulick.
Hawthorne is the only racetrack in the Chicago area and has the right to veto another one built within 35 miles. But those in the industry hope a bill before the state legislature will repeal that.
“The harness horsemen are asking the state legislature to take away that exclusivity, because Hawthorne isn’t in a position to build another track if they can’t keep the one they have going,” Paulick said.
READ MORE | Hawthorne Race Course, Illinois’ oldest horse racing track poised to be first with casino
In the meantime, Davis says he hopes the season can be salvaged.
“It really is sad. It’s a 100-year-old business. They’ve been trying, but I don’t know if they have the ability to actually get done what they’ve been awarded to do,” Davis said.
The Illinois Racing Board will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, and Hawthorne’s owner is scheduled to give an update on the track.
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
-
Illinois7 days agoIllinois school closings tomorrow: How to check if your school is closed due to extreme cold
-
Pittsburg, PA1 week agoSean McDermott Should Be Steelers Next Head Coach
-
Pennsylvania3 days agoRare ‘avalanche’ blocks Pennsylvania road during major snowstorm
-
Sports1 week agoMiami star throws punch at Indiana player after national championship loss
-
Technology7 days agoRing claims it’s not giving ICE access to its cameras
-
Science1 week agoContributor: New food pyramid is a recipe for health disasters
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
Movie Review: In ‘Mercy,’ Chris Pratt is on trial with an artificial intelligence judge
-
Politics4 days agoTrump’s playbook falters in crisis response to Minneapolis shooting