The Penn State Nittany Lions (13-17, 6-13 Big 10) welcome the Illinois Fighting Illini (11-19, 7-12 Big 10) to Bryce Jordan Center as the regular season finishes up. Action begins at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 10, 2019.
Illinois Fighting Illini at Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Odds
In their last contest, the Nittany Lions won a close one over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 66-65, while the Fighting Illini lost big to the 25th-ranked Indiana Hoosiers, 92-74.
Penn State was 7-17 on three pointers (41.2 percent), while Rutgers was just 4-24 (16.7 percent). Illinois, meanwhile, had a free throw rate of 0.231 (above their season average of 0.209). Penn State received a boost from Mike Watkins, who finished with eight points and 14 rebounds. Giorgi Bezhanishvili, meanwhile played a key role for Illinois with 15 points and eight rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Watkins led the Nittany Lions to an 83-76 win. He registered a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Penn State made good use of their 32 trips to the free throw line, making 26 of them (81.3 percent). Illinois, meanwhile, was just 18-28 (64.3 percent).
It could be an error-filled game for the Penn State offense. Penn State ranks 151st in the NCAA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 18.3 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Illinois forces the 27th-most turnovers in the nation (22.6 percent).
Illinois Fighting Illini at Penn State Nittany Lions Free Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Penn State, ATS Winner – Penn State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Penn State ranks 103rd in rebounds per game (36.5) while Illinois ranks 256th (32.8).
- The Fighting Illini are 18th in the NCAA with 18.7 three pointers allowed per game while the Nittany Lions are 20th with 18.9 three pointers allowed per game.
- The Fighting Illini rank 46th in steals per game (7.5) while the Nittany Lions rank 151st in steals allowed per game (6.8).
- Penn State ranks 71st in blocks per game (3.9) while Illinois ranks 152nd in blocks allowed per game (3.8).
Bettings Trends:
- The Nittany Lions’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.0, up from 0.7 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Fighting Illini have scored an average of 69.0 points per game (4.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 77.6 points per game (2.3 above their season average).
