The No. 3 Illinois Fighting Illini (2-0) and the No. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-0) meet Monday at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET (Peacock). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NCAA basketball odds around the Illinois vs. Texas Tech odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
Illinois improved to 2-0 with a dominant 112-70 win over the Penn Quakers Thursday, topping 110 points for the second straight game. The Fighting Illini easily covered as 30.5-point home favorites as the Over (172.5) hit. Four Illinois starters scored in double figures, led by G Andrej Stojakovic's 25 points. G Ethan Brown added a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Texas Tech improved
to 2-0 with a 76-58 home win over the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Thursday, but failed to cover as 30.5-point favorites as the Under (149.5) hit. G Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn led the way with 25 points, while F Josiah Moseley provided a nice spark off the bench, finishing just shy of a double-double with 12 points and 9 rebounds.
Illinois won the only previous meeting with Texas Tech, earning an 81-77 victory in Champaign last season. The Red Raiders covered as 4.5-point road underdogs with the Under (168.5) hitting.
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Illinois at Texas Tech odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:13 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Illinois -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Texas Tech +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread (ATS): Illinois -1.5 (-115) | Texas Tech +1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 166.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Illinois at Texas Tech picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 80, Texas Tech 77
Moneyline
PASS.
You can definitely bet Illinois (-140) on the moneyline, but I'll take the slightly better odds with a small spread.
Against the spread
BET ILLINOIS -1.5 (-118).
Illinois has been putting up video game numbers in the first 2 games, averaging 116 points with 6 players scoring in double figures, giving the Illini plenty of firepower heading into Tuesday. Stojakovic leads the way at 22.5 points per game. Illinois has also been cleaning up on the glass, outrebounding its first 2 opponents by a combined 127-54 margin.
Texas Tech presents a much tougher challenge, but the Red Raiders have averaged just 76 points against the Jackson State Tigers and Bethune-Cookman. F JT Toppin (ACL) is out which gives a major advantage for Illinois.
The Illini also beat Texas Tech 81-77 last season. With this much offensive depth, I like their chances of winning another close one on the road.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 166.5 (-110).
Illinois has been lighting up the scoreboard, but that came against weaker competition. Texas Tech plays a much tougher brand of defense, holding both opponents under 60 points while slowing the pace at home. Without Toppin, who averaged 16.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game last season, the Red Raiders are struggling to keep up offensively. Illinois is also missing some depth, making a lower-scoring, half-court battle a real possibility Tuesday.
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders odds, picks and predictions
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