Indiana basketball vs. No. 20 Illinois expert prediction, start time, TV channel for 1/14/25

(updated with new information)

Indiana basketball has a tough opponent when it tries to bounce back from a beating as Illinois visits on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.

The Hoosiers (13-4, 4-2 Big Ten) were blown out by Iowa over the weekend. Mackenzie Mgbako had a second straight rough outing (6 points total, 2-of-14 shooting in those games), Trey Galloway struggled (0 points, 4 turnovers vs. Iowa) and Luke Goode cooled (1-of-4 3-pointers). Bryson Tucker and Kanaan Carlyle got plenty of time off the bench (9 points each). Malik Reneau (14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds) will miss his fourth straight game.

The No. 20 Illini (12-4, 4-2) fell apart in the second half of a home loss to USC that left coach Brad Underwood fuming. Illinois, one of the nation’s best rebounding teams, wound up in a deficit against a Trojans squad that struggles in that area. USC’s Desmond Claude, who had 15 points in a loss to Indiana a few days earlier, scored 31. Illini freshman star Kasparas Jakucionis (16.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.4 rebounds) has missed two straight games and is questionable.

Tipton native Ben Humrichous, who led Illinois in scoring each of the past two games, has taken a winding road to the Big Ten — two years at NAIA Huntington and one at Evansville before joining the Illini. McCutcheon grad Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn adds 7.2 points. Cathedral grad Jake Davis, a transfer from Mercer, comes off the bench.

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Too familiar: Losing big has become the norm for IU these days

Indiana basketball prediction, pick

Zach Osterman, IndyStar: Illinois 77-69

Both teams arrive at this game smarting from unexpected weekend losses. Illinois’ home upset at the hands of Southern Cal was perhaps less expected, but the manner of Indiana’s ugly loss in Iowa City is equally humbling. Both teams might still be without key scorers as well, something that wasn’t a problem for either side until Saturday. Illinois remains deeply dangerous offensively. IU will hope a return to friendlier confines puts Iowa in the rear view. Quietly, both sides need this game, at least as much as anyone can in January.

Indiana basketball vs. Illinois availability report

Indiana: Malik Reneau and Gabe Cupps are out. Kanaan Carlyle and Jakai Newton are questionable.

Illinois: Kasparas Jakucionis is questionable.

When does Indiana basketball play today?

7 p.m. ET Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.

What channel is the IU basketball game on?

Indiana basketball betting odds vs. Illinois

via BetMGM

Favorite: Illinois by 3.5 points

Over/under: 157.5 total points

Moneyline: Indiana +145, Illinois -175

ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Illinois a 68.5% chance of winning.

Indiana basketball rankings vs. Illinois

Through Jan. 11

Indiana projected starting lineup

(with 2024-25 season averages)

Illinois projected starting lineup

• Tomislav Ivisic (12.8 points, 35.8% 3-pointers, 8.6 rebounds)
• Tre White (11.3 points, 5.5 rebounds)
• Kylan Boswell (11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists)
• Ben Humrichous (9.4 points, 37.5% 3-pointers)
• Will Riley (10.9 points, 3.7 rebounds)

Indiana basketball schedule

Jan. 8: Indiana 82, USC 69

Jan. 11: Iowa 85, Indiana 60

Tues., Jan. 14: vs. Illinois, 7 p.m., Peacock

Fri., Jan. 17: at Ohio State, 8 p.m., Fox

Wed., Jan 22: at Northwestern, 7 p.m., BTN

Illinois basketball schedule

Jan. 8: Illinois 91, Penn State 52

Jan. 11: USC 82, Illinois 72

Tues., Jan. 14: at Indiana, 7 p.m., Peacock

Sun., Jan. 19: at Michigan State, CBS

Thurs., Jan. 23: vs. Maryland, FS1