The college hoops wagering menu features a clash between Illinois and Northwestern on Thursday, with the host Fighting Illini trying to win and cover the NCAA basketball point spread.

The Wildcats will look to vanquish their hosts on Thursday, as they are 7-7 ATS versus the spread this season, while the Fighting Illini are 6-9 ATS. Northwestern is 7-4 against the total, while Illinois is 7-7 versus the number.



View Northwestern vs Illinois Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Bettors looking to side with Illinois in this one found them as 11.5-point favorites earlier in the day. Watch for line moves and updates at Sportsbook before gametime.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
According to new college basketball power rankings here, it's the No. 66-ranked Fighting Illini and the No. 175-rated Wildcats in this matchup. Computer formulas aimed at predicting NCAAB scores point to a 75-71 win for the Fighting Illini on Thursday.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Illinois's No. 58-ranked offense, averaging 73.9 PPG, against a Wildcats defense that ranks No. 90 at 62.2 PPG. The Fighting Illini field goal percentage has averaged 43.2% so far, more than the Wildcats marksmen have achieved on the year, 42% per game.

Defensively, Northwestern features the nation's No. 74-rated defense on the road, allowing 64.3 points per game. Illinois, meanwhile, comes in at No. 110 nationally in scoring at home.

Northwestern was a 70-50 loser in its last match at home against Iowa. They failed to cover the 1-point spread as favorites. Northwestern was crushed on Sunday, getting blown out by Iowa and falling by a 70-50 score at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

In their last action, Illinois was a 74-51 loser on the road against Wisconsin. They failed to cover the 6-point spread as underdogs. Illinois was run off the court by the Badgers on Saturday as Wisconsin routed them 74-51 at Kohl Center.


Northwestern Wildcats Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Indiana are 4-6
After playing Iowa are 3-7
After a loss are 8-2

Illinois Fighting Illini Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Nebraska are 1-1
After playing Wisconsin are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7

A few Wildcats at Fighting Illini trends to consider:
Northwestern is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Northwestern is 1-12 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Illinois
Illinois is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Northwestern
Illinois is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games at home
Illinois is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games when playing Northwestern
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Illinois's last 6 games when playing Northwestern


Next up:
Northwestern home to Indiana, Sunday, January 20
Illinois at Nebraska, Tuesday, January 22