There is plenty of in-state college basketball for Illinois bettors to enjoy this weekend. Still, there is one stipulation – the bettors need to physically make wagers at one of the 12 retail Illinois sportsbooks located throughout the Land of Lincoln.
Friday February 17
Dayton Flyers vs. Loyola Chicago Ramblers 7:00 pm
This should be a good Atlantic 10 Conference matchup when Dayton heads to Chicago to face the 9-16 Ramblers. Dayton is a game behind A-10 leader VCU, and this is a good opportunity for the Flers to catch the Rams in the standings.
The Flyers are 3-5 on the road, but Loyola has the worst turnover rate in NCAA D1 hoops, and we’re likely looking for a total of about 131 points. The Flyers should win the game by at least five points, but the total is what you want to consider–these are two slow-tempo teams that don’t rely much on the triple and shouldn’t exceed 131 points.
Saturday February 18
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Indiana Hoosiers 12:00 pm
Big Ten basketball kicks off the Illinois sports bettors Saturday, and the Fighting Illini head to Bloomington for a matchup with No. 14 Indiana. Illinois is .50 games behind the Hoosiers in the conference standings, but Indiana forward Trace Jackson-Davis is 8th in the country in offensive efficiency, and Indiana sports a 13-1 record at home.
The Fighting Illini are 3-4 as the away team–this should be a close game, and the play is Indiana on the moneyline at -170 or less.
Illinois State Redbirds vs. Indiana State Sycamores 2:00 pm
The Missouri Valley Conference is in the house, and Illinois sports bettors have a terrific contest between the Redbirds of Illinois State and the Indiana State Sycamores.
Indiana State is a game behind conference leaders Drake and Bradley–they enter Saturday riding a six-game winning streak and facing a Redbirds squad hoping to end a four-game losing skid. The Sycamores should be heavily favored and should cover -10 against the 3-7 ATS away Redbirds.
DePaul Blue Demons vs. Xavier Musketeers 4:00 pm
Big East basketball on a Saturday afternoon is always a good thing, and DePaul will have a difficult matchup when they face the No. 16 Musketeers. DePaul has dropped seven straight, and they could be without starting forward Yor Anei.
Xavier has dropped a pair of games but easily wins this game whether Anei suits up or not. The spread will likely be around 14 points or so, but the play could be the total–these teams play a fast tempo, and you’ll look to play Over at 155 points and below for this Big East contest.
Sunday February 19
The NFL season has ended, but thankfully we have these Illinois-based college teams to whet our gambling whistle for Sunday afternoon.
Bradley Braves vs. Southern Illinois Salukis 2:00 pm
The MVC is winding down, and we have a battle that could determine the regular season title when 1st-place Bradley meets 2nd-place Southern Illinois. Bradley is riding a seven-game winning streak and is 6-4 SU as the away side.
Southern Illinois is 12-1 SU at home and has a 10-game home winning streak and a shot at a tie for 1st place in the conference. Bradley should be slightly favored and should win SU. The moneyline play of -130 or less on Bradley winning is the best bet for this contest.
Make sure to check out our full list of Illinois betting bonuses to get the most out of your wagering this weekend.
