Illinois vs Nebraska Picks and Prediction – 1/31/2025

The Illinois Fighting Illini (14-6, 6-4 Big Ten) travel to Lincoln to take on Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-8, 2-7 Big Ten) in a Big Ten matchup. Illinois is coming off an 83-74 win over Northwestern, while Nebraska is in a tough spot, dropping six straight games, including an 83-55 blowout loss to Wisconsin. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

Illinois boasts a high-powered offense, averaging 85.8 points per game while shooting 44.5% from the field. Kasparas Jakucionis leads the team with 15.9 points per game on 48.6% shooting, while also pacing the team with 5.4 assists per contest. Tomislav Ivisic controls the boards, pulling down 8.5 rebounds per game, contributing to Illinois' dominant 45.0 rebounds per game as a team. The Fighting Illini share the ball well, averaging 15.3 assists per game, and should have a major offensive advantage against a struggling Nebraska squad.

Defensively, Illinois allows just 69.5 points per game, keeping teams in check despite playing at a fast pace. The Fighting Illini protect the paint with Ivisic averaging 1.2 blocks per game and Kylan Boswell leading the perimeter defense with 1.2 steals per contest. Opponents are struggling to match Illinois' rebounding presence, a major advantage against a Nebraska team that ranks poorly on the boards.

Nebraska is reeling, having dropped six straight games, and now faces one of the conference’s top teams. The Cornhuskers score 75.4 points per game on 45.8% shooting, with Brice Williams leading the way at 18.2 points per contest while knocking down 47.1% of his shots. Nebraska struggles to distribute the ball, averaging just 13.8 assists per game, and offensive production has dipped significantly during the losing streak.

Defensively, Nebraska has been unable to slow opponents, allowing 71.0 points per game. The Cornhuskers’ interior defense has been soft, blocking just 2.9 shots per game, and rebounding is a major concern at just 36.2 boards per contest. Nebraska’s perimeter defense is its only saving grace, averaging 7.8 steals per game, but that may not be enough to disrupt Illinois’ ball movement and efficiency.

Illinois enters this game with a clear edge on both ends of the floor. Nebraska’s struggles on the glass and inability to defend the paint will be major issues against a physically dominant Fighting Illini squad. Look for Illinois to control the tempo, capitalize on second-chance opportunities, and hand Nebraska its seventh straight loss. Final Score Prediction: Illinois Fighting Illini wins 86-72.