USC vs Illinois Picks and Prediction – 1/11/2025

The USC Trojans visit State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois on Saturday to play the No. 13-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini in a Big Ten showdown. USC is 9-6 overall and 1-3 in Big Ten play. The Trojans were defeated by Indiana 82-69 on Wednesday night. USC has lost two straight since having a four-game winning streak snapped. Keep updated on College Basketball with our college basketball picks.

Desmond Claude leads USC in scoring with an average of 14.9 points per game. Saint Thomas is the leading rebounder and leader in assists averaging 5.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Chibuzo Agbo is the second leading scorer averaging 12.7 points per game. USC scores an average of 75.7 points per game, shooting 47.0% overall and 33.2% from 3-point territory.

The Illinois Fighting Illini look for a sixth consecutive win on Saturday when hosting the USC Trojans. Illinois is 12-3 and 4-1 in Big Ten play. Illinois defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions 91-52 on Wednesday. Ben Humrichous was the leading scorer with 21 points while Morez Johnson Jr scored 20 points to set a new career high. Illinois has won five straight and six of the last seven.

Kasparas Jakucionis leads Illinois in scoring and assists averaging 16.4 points and 5.4 assists per game. Tomislav Ivisic is second in scoring and the leading rebounder averaging 13.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Illinois has five players averaging double figures in scoring. The Fighting Illini scores an average of 87.9 points per game shooting 45.9% overall and 33.9% from 3-point territory.

While the OVER is a solid choice in this matchup, the play here is the Illinois Fighting Illini. Illinois has covered the number in six of the last 11 with one push, while USC has failed to cover the number in 10 of its last 15. Illinois holds opponents to an average of 66.2 points per game on 37.6% shooting. At the same time, the Fighting Illini are scoring an average of 87.9 points per game. Final Score Prediction, Illinois Fighting Illini wins and covers ATS 80-61.