The No. 23 Illinois Fighting Illini (2-1) welcome the Valparaiso Crusaders (2-1) to the State Farm Center Friday. Tip is set for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze'FanDuel Sportsbook’s'lines around the Valparaiso vs. Illinois odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Illinois, which is No. 23 in the , is coming off its 1st loss of the season – a 71-64 home loss as a 1-point favorite to the No. 4 Marquette Golden Eagles. It is 0-3 against the spread (ATS) through 3 games and 0-2 ATS as a favorite of 20 or more points. Illinois is also 0-3 O/U and is led by G Terrence Shannon Jr, who is averaging 17.3 points per game.
Valparaiso, which plays in the Missouri Valley Conference, is also 2-1 through 3 games, with its lone loss coming in a 66-56 home defeat to IUPUI last Friday. It is 1-1 ATS this season – its 100-61 victory vs. Trinity Christian on Nov. 6 was in a game that wasn’t on the board. Valparaiso is 0-2 O/U and led by F Isaiah Stafford, who is averaging 16.7 points per game.
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