Illinois vs Northwestern College Basketball Prediction, Odds, Picks, Best Bets for Jan. 14

The Illinois Fighting Illini (13-3, 4-1 Big Ten) will visit the Northwestern Wildcats (8-8, 0-5 Big Ten) after winning five road games in a row.

Before you place your bet on this matchup at FanDuel Sportsbook, here are the NCAA basketball odds and spreads you need to know.

Illinois vs. Northwestern Game Info and Odds

• Game day: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
• Game time: 8:30 p.m. ET
• TV channel: Big Ten Network
• Location: Evanston, Illinois
• Arena: Welsh-Ryan Arena

Illinois vs. Northwestern Picks and Prediction

All college basketball win probability predictions and picks are according to numberFire.
Prediction: Illinois win (63.3%)

Take a look at the betting trends and insights below before placing a bet on Wednesday's Illinois-Northwestern spread (Illinois -9.5) or over/under (151.5 points).

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Illinois vs. Northwestern: ATS Betting Stats and Trends

• Illinois is 10-6-0 ATS this season.
• Northwestern has compiled a 5-11-0 ATS record so far this year.
• When the spread is set as 9.5 or more this season, Illinois (6-4) covers a higher percentage of those games when it is the favorite (60%) than Northwestern (1-1) does as the underdog (50%).
• Against the spread last season, the Fighting Illini played better when playing at home, covering 10 times in 17 home games, and five times in 10 road games.
• The Wildcats' winning percentage against the spread at home is .375 (3-5-0). On the road, it is .250 (1-3-0).
• Illinois has beaten the spread three times in five conference games.
• Northwestern has won once against the spread in Big Ten play this year.

Illinois vs. Northwestern: Moneyline Betting Stats

• Illinois has come away with eight wins in the 10 contests it has been listed as the moneyline favorite in this season.
• This year, the Fighting Illini have won five of six games when listed as at least -529 or better on the moneyline.
• Northwestern has been the underdog on the moneyline a total of four times this season, and it has lost all of those games.
• The Wildcats have played as a moneyline underdog of +390 or longer in just one game this season, which they lost.
• Illinois has an implied victory probability of 84.1% according to the moneyline set by sportsbooks for this matchup.

Illinois vs. Northwestern Head-to-Head Comparison

• Illinois averages 86 points per game (37th in college basketball) while allowing 67.4 per outing (46th in college basketball). It has a +297 scoring differential overall and outscores opponents by 18.6 points per game.
• Keaton Wagler's team-leading 15.7 points per game ranks 223rd in the nation.
• Northwestern is outscoring opponents by 7.9 points per game, with a +127 scoring differential overall. It puts up 79.1 points per game (136th in college basketball) and allows 71.2 per outing (116th in college basketball).
• Nick Martinelli's team-leading 24.1 points per game rank him first in the country.
• The Fighting Illini pull down 39.1 rebounds per game (12th in college basketball) while conceding 27.8 per contest to their opponents. They outrebound opponents by 11.3 boards per game.
• David Mirkovic paces the team with 8.6 rebounds per game (45th in college basketball action).
• The Wildcats lose the rebound battle by 1.8 boards on average. They record 30.3 rebounds per game, 289th in college basketball, while their opponents grab 32.1.
• Martinelli is 189th in the nation with 6.8 rebounds per game, leading the Wildcats.
• Illinois' 109.4 points per 100 possessions on offense rank 15th in college basketball, and the 85.8 points it allows per 100 possessions rank 46th in college basketball.
• The Wildcats rank 89th in college basketball with 102.7 points scored per 100 possessions, and 164th defensively with 92.4 points conceded per 100 possessions.

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