Illinois vs Tennessee Odds, Picks and Predictions: Plundering for Cash

The non-conference portion of the schedule is in full bloom, and we have a good start to our Saturday when the No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini head to Knoxville for a matchup with the No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers. 

Illinois has won five straight, including a 98-89 neutral court victory over FAU at the Jimmy V Classic. Tennessee has dropped three of its last five but defeated George Mason 87-66 to improve its record to 3-0 at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Please join me as I take a closer look at the college basketball odds with free college basketball picks and predictions as I preview Illinois vs. Tennessee on Saturday, December 9.

Illinois vs Tennessee best odds

Illinois vs Tennessee picks and predictions

Saturday is a tale of two teams trending in the opposite direction in the win/loss column, but I don’t believe these squads are as far apart as they may seem.

Illinois has looked good since falling at home to Marquette on November 14. They’ve reeled off five straight since that home loss and have solid victories over Rutgers and a strong win as the underdog against Florida Atlantic. These last two victories were big, and the Fighting Illini are playing confidently on the offensive end, scoring 74 points or more in each of those five wins.

Tennessee appears to be riding the struggle bus, but they have neutral court losses to Purdue and Kansas, with an away loss to North Carolina before whipping a very good George Mason team by 21. The Volunteers' offense has been inconsistent, but their defense is one of the best nationally.

Terrence Shannon Jr. has been on fire. He’s probably the most talented offensive player for either side and notched 33 points against FAU with 19+ in each of his last five. Tennessee won’t let him stroll to the cup as FAU did, and he will find scoring difficult on Saturday.

Tennessee's leading scorer, Dalton Knecht, has struggled recently. He’s averaging 19 points per game but has cleared that number just once over his past five, and it’s going to be difficult getting buckets against the elite Illinois defense.

I like the Under 146 (-110) BetRivers offers, as the defensive defenses are much better than the offensive groups.

Tennessee is going to bring it on the defensive end. They don’t want to lose at home and know how stout the Fighting Illini defense is. The Vols allow a robust 53 points per game at home, and while Illinois has been lighting up the scoreboard recently, FAU is defense-optional, and they outrebounded Rutgers 55-27. Neither will be the case on Saturday.

Illinois plays defense extremely well and hits the boards hard. They are No. 2 nationally in rebounds and have a distinct size advantage. Tennessee isn’t a big scoring side with below-average shooting from inside and outside the arc. The Fighting Illini has too much length, and a Vols offense relying on 32% of its offensive production from downtown won’t be easy.

Finally, these teams place a large emphasis on the defensive end. Illinois has the edge in size and depth, while Tennessee has the home court and the second-best defense in the nation. Both teams play a tempo that could clear the number, but these two elite defenses likely won’t allow that to happen.

My best bet: Under 146 (-110 at BetRivers)

Illinois vs Tennessee same-game parlay

Under 146 points

Illinois +6

+245 at BetRivers

BetRivers had the best number on the total, and I expect a low-scoring contest. Illinois is 3-2 to the Over in their last five but is 4-6-0 to the Under overall, and the Under is 4-6-0 through their first 10 games.

Tennessee allows 56 points per game at home, and the Over/Under record is 3-2-0 to the Over in their last five games and 5-5-0 in their last 10. Their offense has been inconsistent, and this one ends Under 146.

The Vols have played three top-15 teams in their last eight days, and Illinois will be the fourth. Tennessee is 2-3-0 ATS over their past five and 5-5-0 ATS this season. The Vols are 2-1-0 ATS at home, but they meet an Illinois side that is 4-1-0 ATS over their past five but 4-6-0 ATS overall. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Illinois vs Tennessee spread and Over/Under analysis

I know we took Illinois as a +6 underdog on the same-game parlay card, but I was hoping for +7 or better, and I don’t think we’ll get there. Up until their five-game winning streak, Illinois was 0-6-0 ATS. They did lay some big numbers, but their offense wasn’t good enough to make up the difference before their winning streak.

That’s why laying the points wasn’t my best bet. Bet365 has +6.5 (-110) while DraftKings has +6.5 (-115), but if I’m going to bet $100, then I want +7, or else I won’t touch it.

Caesars has Tennessee -6 (-110), but I don’t like that number. The Vols' offense is hard to trust. Illinois can defend, and they are an elite rebounding side. I would need -5 (-110) or better to wager on Tennessee, but I don’t believe that will happen either.

After watching Illinois wax FAU on a neutral court, my lean is Illinois +230 at BetMGM. That’s the best price on the board, and Tennessee hasn’t defeated a top-15 yet this season. The only thing holding me back is the Fighting Illini have turnover issues, and the Thompson-Boling Arena faithful will be loud on Saturday. 

Illinois vs Tennessee betting trend to know

Tennessee has hit the Game Total Under in 11 of their last 19 games at home (+2.20 Units / 11% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Illinois vs. Tennessee.

Illinois vs Tennessee game info

Illinois vs Tennessee key injuries

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