Penn State Basketball begins the Big Ten Tournament, and a quest for a berth in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, on Thursday night against Illinois at 6:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
The Nittany Lions earned a first-round bye in the B1G Tournament after winning five of their final six games of the regular season.
Here’s everything you need to know for Penn State Basketball vs. Illinois
Penn State Injury Report:
Caleb Dorsey G Out Indefinitely – Undisclosed
Illinois Injury Report:
Jayden Epps G Questionable – Concussion
Skyy Clark G Out Indefinitely – Left Team
Zacharie Perrin F Out Indefinitely – Left Team
What: Penn State Basketball vs. Illinois (Big Ten Tournament)
When: Thursday, March 9, 2023
Time: 6:30 p.m. Eastern
Where: United Center, Chicago
TV Channel: Big Ten Network
Livestream: FuboTV
You can watch Penn State Basketball vs. Illinois online FOR FREE by signing up for a FREE TRIAL of FuboTV
Spread: Penn State Basketball (+2.5) vs. Illinois
Penn State opens as a 2.5-point underdog. Penn State is 17-13-1 ATS, while Utah is 18-13 this season.
Penn State Basketball Moneyline: +118
Placing a $100 bet on Penn State Basketball to knock off Illinois, straight up on the moneyline, would pay $118. This will be the third meeting of the season with the Nittany Lions winning the other two by 15 and 12 points respectively.
Penn State Basketball vs. Illinois over/under: 145
The total has gone over in 17 out of 31 games this season for Penn State. The total has gone over in 14 of 31 for Illinois.
Picks for the Game:
I will start by saying to avoid the total like it is the plague.
Penn State has certainly shown the ability to shoot the ball extremely well and even scored 93 the last time they beat the Illini at home in mid-February. However, the shooting consistency of this team is too hard to predict and while they have the ability to score in the 90s, they also can finish in the 50s.
Penn State Moneyline or +2.5 is a good bet to take considering the Nittany Lions have beaten the Illini twice already this season. That is if you don’t believe in the age-old mantra that it is hard to beat a team 3 times. If you do decide to bet on Penn State, take them on the Moneyline as that will give the most value.
This is a must win game for coach Micah Shrewsberry’s squad as a win would put them as a lock to make the NCAA Tournament. It is just a matter if the three point shooting will travel to Chicago. If it does, this team has an opportunity to make a conference tournament run.
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