Penn State vs Illinois Picks and Prediction – 1/9/2025

The Penn State Nittany Lions (12-3, 2-2 Big Ten) face off against the Illinois Fighting Illini (11-3, 3-1 Big Ten) on January 8, at 8:00 PM at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. Penn State is coming off a tough 77-71 loss to Indiana, while Illinois has built momentum with four straight wins, including an 81-77 victory over Washington. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

Penn State brings an explosive offense, averaging 86.8 points per game while shooting 50.1% from the field. Guard Ace Baldwin Jr. leads the scoring with 14.8 points per game, complemented by 8.4 assists and 94.5% free-throw shooting. Forward Yanic Konan Niederhauser contributes 6.9 rebounds per game, providing a solid presence inside. The Nittany Lions excel in ball movement, averaging 18.1 assists per game, and 9.7 steals highlights the ability to create turnovers and score in transition.

Defensively, Penn State allows 68.5 points per game, holding opponents to 43.8% shooting. The team averages 4.4 blocks, led by Niederhauser with 1.9 per game, and generates turnovers effectively with Baldwin Jr. grabbing 2.1 steals per contest. However, the rebounding margin is concerning, as they average 36.5 boards per game, facing a taller and more physical Illinois team.

Illinois counters with a balanced offense that averages 87.6 points per game, shooting 46.1% from the field. Guard Kasparas Jakucionis leads with 16.4 points and 5.4 assists per game, supported by center Tomislav Ivisic, who averages 9.1 rebounds. The Fighting Illini are dangerous in the paint and on the perimeter, with solid free-throw shooting at 75.4%, giving them an edge in tight situations.

Defensively, Illinois allows just 67.2 points per game while dominating the glass with 45.1 rebounds. Ivisic anchors the interior with 1.2 blocks per game, while Jakucionis leads the perimeter defense with 1.3 steals. The Fighting Illini’s defensive pressure and rebounding strength make them tough to break down, especially at home, where they have yet to lose this season.

Illinois’ size and rebounding advantage, combined with strong defensive stats, make them favorites to win. Penn State’s offense can pose challenges, but Illinois’ balance on both ends should prove too much. Final Score Prediction: Illinois Fighting Illini 88-76.