Illinois vs Rutgers College Basketball Prediction, Odds, Picks, Best Bets for Jan. 8

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (8-7, 1-3 Big Ten) aim to end a three-game road losing streak when they visit the Illinois Fighting Illini (11-3, 2-1 Big Ten) on January 8, 2026.

Before you place your bet on this matchup at FanDuel Sportsbook, here are the NCAA basketball odds and spreads you need to know.

Illinois vs. Rutgers Game Info and Odds

• Game day: Thursday, January 8, 2026
• Game time: 8:30 p.m. ET
• TV channel: Big Ten Network
• Location: Champaign, Illinois
• Arena: State Farm Center

Illinois vs. Rutgers Picks and Prediction

All college basketball win probability predictions and picks are according to numberFire.
Prediction: Illinois win (97.6%)

Take a look at some betting trends and insights for Illinois (-22.5) versus Rutgers on Thursday. The total has been set at 149.5 points for this game.

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Illinois vs. Rutgers: ATS Betting Stats and Trends

• Illinois has covered eight times in 14 games with a spread this season.
• Rutgers is 5-10-0 ATS this season.
• Illinois covers the spread when it is a 22.5-point favorite or more 66.7% of the time. That's more often than Rutgers covers as an underdog of 22.5 or more (never covered this season).
• The Fighting Illini did a better job covering the spread at home (10-7-0) last season than they did in road affairs (5-5-0).
• The Scarlet Knights were better against the spread at home (8-7-0) than on the road (4-7-0) last season.
• Rutgers has won twice against the spread in Big Ten play this season.

Illinois vs. Rutgers: Moneyline Betting Stats

• Illinois has been chosen as the moneyline favorite in eight games this year and has walked away with the win six times (75%) in those games.
• The Fighting Illini have been listed as a favorite of -7143 or more on two occasions this season and won both games.
• Rutgers is 2-6 in games it was the underdog on the moneyline (winning 25% of those games).
• The Scarlet Knights have played as a moneyline underdog of +2000 or longer in only one game this season, which they lost.
• The moneyline set for this matchup implies Illinois has a 98.6% chance of coming away with a victory in the contest.

Illinois vs. Rutgers Head-to-Head Comparison

• Illinois' +265 scoring differential (outscoring opponents by 18.9 points per game) is a result of scoring 87.1 points per game (29th in college basketball) while allowing 68.2 per contest (65th in college basketball).
• Illinois' leading scorer, Keaton Wagler, ranks 247th in the country averaging 15.4 points per game.
• Rutgers has been outscored by 2.2 points per game (posting 70.3 points per game, 307th in college basketball, while allowing 72.5 per contest, 158th in college basketball) and has a -34 scoring differential.
• Rutgers' leading scorer, Tariq Francis, ranks 286th in the nation, putting up 14.9 points per game.
• The Fighting Illini come out on top in the rebound battle by an average of 11.8 boards. They are collecting 39.4 rebounds per game (11th in college basketball) compared to their opponents' 27.6 per outing.
• David Mirkovic tops the Fighting Illini with 8.4 rebounds per game (57th in college basketball action).
• The Scarlet Knights are 224th in the nation at 32.2 rebounds per game. That's similar to the 31.5 their opponents average.
• Emmanuel Ogbole's 6.9 rebounds per game lead the Scarlet Knights and rank 176th in the nation.
• Illinois' 110 points per 100 possessions on offense rank 13th in college basketball, and the 86.1 points it allows per 100 possessions rank 53rd in college basketball.
• The Scarlet Knights put up 90.4 points per 100 possessions (314th in college basketball), while conceding 93.3 points per 100 possessions (210th in college basketball).

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