Who’s Playing
Illinois @ Nebraska
Current Records: Illinois 11-3; Nebraska 6-10
What to Know
The #25 Illinois Fighting Illini won both of their matches against the Nebraska Cornhuskers last season (77-72 and 86-70) and are aiming for the same result on Tuesday. The Fighting Illini and Nebraska will face off in a Big Ten battle at 8:30 p.m. ET at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Illinois should still be riding high after a victory, while Nebraska will be looking to right the ship.
Illinois didn’t have too much trouble with the Maryland Terrapins at home last week as they won 76-64. It was another big night for Illinois’ center Kofi Cockburn, who dropped a double-double on 23 points and 18 boards. That makes it seven consecutive games in which Cockburn has had at least ten rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Cornhuskers suffered a grim 93-65 defeat to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights this past Saturday. The top scorer for Nebraska was guard Bryce McGowens (17 points).
The Fighting Illini are the favorite in this one, with an expected 12.5-point margin of victory. They might be worth taking a chance on against the spread as they are currently on a four-game streak of ATS wins.
Illinois is now 11-3 while Nebraska sits at 6-10. A couple numbers to keep in mind before tip-off: Illinois comes into the game boasting the 25th most points per game in college basketball at 80.4. Less enviably, the Cornhuskers are stumbling into the matchup with the eighth most points allowed per game in college basketball, having given up 78.3 on average. So the cards are definitely stacked against Nebraska.
How To Watch
- When: Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena — Lincoln, Nebraska
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Ticket Cost: $14.96
Odds
The Fighting Illini are a big 12.5-point favorite against the Cornhuskers, according to the latest college basketball odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Fighting Illini as a 13.5-point favorite.
Over/Under: -110
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Series History
Illinois have won six out of their last nine games against Nebraska.
- Feb 25, 2021 – Illinois 86 vs. Nebraska 70
- Feb 12, 2021 – Illinois 77 vs. Nebraska 72
- Feb 24, 2020 – Illinois 71 vs. Nebraska 59
- Feb 02, 2019 – Illinois 71 vs. Nebraska 64
- Dec 02, 2018 – Nebraska 75 vs. Illinois 60
- Feb 18, 2018 – Illinois 72 vs. Nebraska 66
- Jan 15, 2018 – Nebraska 64 vs. Illinois 63
- Feb 26, 2017 – Illinois 73 vs. Nebraska 57
- Jan 16, 2016 – Nebraska 78 vs. Illinois 67
Injury Report for Nebraska
- Trey McGowens: Out (Foot)
- Quaran Mcpherson: Out (Not Injury Related)
- Wilhelm Breidenbach: Out for the Season (Leg)
Injury Report for Illinois
- Andre Curbelo: Out (Neck)
- Austin Hutcherson: Out for the Season (Back)
