Illinois Fighting Illini vs Penn State Nittany Lions Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 02/14/2023

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Venue:  Bryce Jordan Center, State College, PA

Where to Watch:  ESPNU

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Illinois -2.5, PSU +2.5; Over/Under:  142.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Illinois -2.5, PSU +2.5; Over/Under:  142.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Illinois -2.5, PSU +2.5; Over/Under:  142.5 points

Illinois Fighting Illini:  17-7 (8-5) (4th place, Big Ten)

Penn State Nittany Lions:  14-11 (5-9) (11th place, Big Ten)

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Illinois Fighting Illini:  4-1  last 5

Penn State Nittany Lions:  1-4  last 5

Illinois is coming into this game with a 17-7 record overall and they are 3-3 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are also 8-5 in their conference games this season as well. They are entering this game off of a win against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in their last game. Coleman Hawkins led the team in points in that game with 18 while Dain Dainja and Terrence Shannon Jr. each were next on the team with 15 points. Coleman Hawkins led the team in assists in that game with 4 while Coleman Hawkins and Matthew Mayer each led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 48.2% from the field, 25% from 3-point range, and 66.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 74.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 63.9 PPG against them. Illinois has an ATS record of 15-8-1 this season and their O/U record is 10-13-1.

Penn State is coming into this game with a 14-11 record overall and they are 11-3 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are also 5-9 in their conference schedule this season as well. They are entering this game on a 4 game losing streak with losses coming against the Purdue Boilermakers, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the Wisconsin Badgers, and the Maryland Terrapins in their last game. Kanye Clary led the team in points in that game with 17 while Jalen Pickett was next on the team with 15 points. Jalen Pickett led the team in assists in that game with 5 while Seth Lundy led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 50.9% from the field, 46.2% from 3-point range, and 50% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 72.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 68.2 PPG against them. Penn State has an ATS record of 13-11-1 this season and their O/U record is 14-11.

The current betting odds have Penn State listed as a 2.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Penn State hasn't been a very good team this year with their 14-11 record overall and they have been struggling a lot in the Big Ten too with a 5-9 conference record. Despite all of these struggles, they have still been a great home team all season with an 11-3 home record and they are going to be looking to snap a 4 game losing skid here with a win on their home court. Illinois is 17-7 overall this year and they have been having a much better season in the Big Ten with their 8-5 conference record. They even pulled off a nice win over Rutgers in their last game at home but they haven't been a good road team this season with just a 3-3 road record and they have definitely shown some vulnerabilities in their road games lately as they have been really up and down. Penn State is going to be desperately coming for a win on their home court here and they have been a good home team despite struggling a lot this season. The best way to place a bet here is on Penn State to cover the spread in this game.

Illinois Penn State Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Tuesday, February 14, 2023 (7:00 pm ET start time) is PSU 71 Illinois 64.

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Illinois Fighting Illini: 10-18 ATS after successfully covering the spread in 4 or more consecutive games. 141-99 UNDER in road games. 22-14 UNDER revenging a straight up loss vs opponent as a home favorite.

Penn State Nittany Lions: 8-1 ATS when the total is 140 to 149.5. 8-2 ATS at home when the line is +3 to -3. 13-4 UNDER when the line is +3 to -3.

Illinois Fighting Illini:  R. Melendez (G) Ques Tues - Suspension.

Penn State Nittany Lions:  C. Dorsey (F) Ques Tues - Undisclosed.

“It wasn’t easy for him, but it’s also a tribute to Dain that he didn’t shy away from it and he accepted it. Then he was a battering ram for Kofi (Cockburn) in practice, but all that pays off.” - Brad Underwood on Dain Dainja after his team’s win against Rutgers in their last game.

"Everybody can leave us for dead right now. That's cool with me. I'm not. I believe in those guys. I believe in how they play. I believe in our staff and their ability to motivate us and get us ready." - Micah Shrewsberry after his team’s loss against Maryland in their last game.

S. Clark 

C. Hawkins 

M. Mayer 

R. Melendez 

T. Shannon

A. Funk 

S. Lundy 

K. Njie 

J. Pickett 

C. Wynter

PPG: T. Shannon Jr. (16.9)

APG: C. Hawkins (3.2)

Reb/G: C. Hawkins (6.5)

PPG: J. Pickett (17.2)

APG: J. Pickett (6.9)

Reb/G: J. Pickett (7.6)

Coaches:

Illinois Fighting Illini: Brad Underwood (6th season)

Penn State Nittany Lions: Micah Shrewsberry (2nd season)