Penn State Nittany Lions vs Illinois Fighting Illini predictions, Jan 03, 2026

Jan 02, 2026 0 Comment By Yuriy Borshchenko

NCAA College Basketball, on Saturday,

Nittany Lions

Illinois

Score, Highlights

Short Preview

In an upcoming NCAA College Basketball matchup, the Penn State Nittany Lions will face off against the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 3, 2026. The game will take place at Penn State’s home court, where they will look to improve on their recent form of winning 2 out of their last 5 matches. On the other hand, Illinois comes into this game having won 3 of their last 5 matches, showing a slightly better form.

The bookmakers’ odds heavily favor the Illinois Fighting Illini with a 1.03 odds for an away win compared to Penn State’s 12.5 odds for a home win. This is indicative of Illinois’ recent performances and potential tactical strengths that could give them the upper hand in this matchup. Despite the odds, Penn State will have the advantage of home-court support, which could potentially swing the game in their favor.

It is expected to be a tightly contested game based on the predicted final score of 69:88, but anything can happen in college basketball. Both teams will need to execute their game plans efficiently to come out on top in what promises to be an exciting showdown.

This preview is generated with the Welcome.Bet AI Insights Engine, combining form data, betting odds, and semantic SEO optimization to deliver relevant match analysis for fans and bettors alike from 2026-01-02T16:52:02+00:00.

Penn State
7.6%		 Illinois
92.4%

Prediction (the most likely score): 69:88

Outrights of NCAA College Basketball Penn State: 0.43%

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Betting Odds

1 X 2
WilliamHill 12.5 1.03

Latest Results

29.12.25 Penn State Nittany Lions basketball – North Carolina Central Eagles basketball – 90:67
21.12.25 Penn State Nittany Lions basketball – Pittsburgh Panthers basketball – 46:80
13.12.25 Penn State Nittany Lions basketball – Michigan State Spartans basketball – 72:76
09.12.25 Indiana Hoosiers basketball – Penn State Nittany Lions basketball – 113:72
02.12.25 Penn State Nittany Lions basketball – Campbell Fighting Camels basketball – 87:76		 29.12.25 Illinois Fighting Illini basketball – Southern University Jaguars basketball – 90:55
22.12.25 Missouri Tigers basketball – Illinois Fighting Illini basketball – 91:48
13.12.25 Illinois Fighting Illini basketball – Nebraska Cornhuskers basketball – 80:83
09.12.25 Ohio State Buckeyes basketball – Illinois Fighting Illini basketball – 80:88
06.12.25 Tennessee Volunteers basketball – Illinois Fighting Illini basketball – 62:75

Facts

  • In the last 5 head-to-head matches, Penn State won 4.
  • Both teams have been playing unpredictably.
  • Recently, Penn State has had a series of home games.
  • In this match, Illinois is the undisputed favorite.
  • In the last 19 head-to-head matches, Penn State won 10 matches, drew 0 matches, lost 9 matches, and goals 1341:1354. (average 70.6:71.3).
  • Including home matches between the teams, Penn State won 5 matches, drew 0 matches, lost 3 matches, and goals 604:592. (average 75.5:74).

    Latest Head To Head

    08.01.25 Illinois Fighting Illini basketball – Penn State Nittany Lions basketball – 91:52
    21.02.24 Penn State Nittany Lions basketball – Illinois Fighting Illini basketball – 90:89
    09.03.23 Illinois Fighting Illini basketball – Penn State Nittany Lions basketball – 76:79
    14.02.23 Penn State Nittany Lions basketball – Illinois Fighting Illini basketball – 93:81
    10.12.22 Illinois Fighting Illini basketball – Penn State Nittany Lions basketball – 59:74

    Standings

    NCAA College Basketball Outrights

    1. Michigan Wolverines: 5.25 (8.19%)

    2. Michigan Tech: 5.25 (8.19%)

    3. Arizona Wildcats: 8.5 (5.06%)

    4. Connecticut Huskies: 11 (3.91%)

    5. Duke Blue Devils: 12 (3.58%)

    6. Iowa State: 13 (3.31%)

    7. Purdue Boilermakers: 13 (3.31%)

    8. Gonzaga Bulldogs: 15 (2.87%)

    9. Houston Cougars: 16 (2.69%)

    10. Michigan State: 26 (1.65%)

    11. Florida Gators: 26 (1.65%)

    12. Louisville: 26 (1.65%)

    13. Illinois Fighting Illini: 26 (1.65%)

    14. Michigan State Spartans W: 26 (1.65%)

    15. Vanderbilt Commodores: 29 (1.48%)

    16. Brigham Young: 29 (1.48%)

    17. Kansas Jayhawks: 29 (1.48%)

    18. Kentucky Wildcats: 34 (1.26%)

    19. Tennessee Volunteers: 36 (1.19%)

    20. Alabama Crimson Tide: 36 (1.19%)

    21. North Carolina: 36 (1.19%)

    22. Arkansas Razorbacks: 41 (1.05%)

    23. Arkansas State: 41 (1.05%)

    24. Texas Tech: 46 (0.93%)

    25. St. Johns Red Storm: 50 (0.86%)

    26. St. Johns Sonics: 50 (0.86%)

    27. Nebraska Cornhuskers: 65 (0.66%)

    28. Virginia Cavaliers: 80 (0.54%)

    29. UCLA: 80 (0.54%)

    30. VCU Rams: 100 (0.43%)

    31. California Golden Bears: 100 (0.43%)

    32. Maryland Terrapins: 100 (0.43%)

    33. South Carolina Gamecocks: 100 (0.43%)

    34. Virginia Tech: 100 (0.43%)

    35. Boise State: 100 (0.43%)

    36. UC Irvine: 100 (0.43%)

    37. Marquette: 100 (0.43%)

    38. Villanova Wildcats: 100 (0.43%)

    39. LSU: 100 (0.43%)

    40. Ole Miss Rebels: 100 (0.43%)

    41. TCU: 100 (0.43%)

    42. Dayton Flyers: 100 (0.43%)

    43. Baylor Bears: 100 (0.43%)

    44. Indiana Hoosiers: 100 (0.43%)

    45. Colorado State: 100 (0.43%)

    46. High Point: 100 (0.43%)

    47. UCF Knights: 100 (0.43%)

    48. Wake Forest: 100 (0.43%)

    49. Wisconsin Badgers: 100 (0.43%)

    50. Memphis Tigers: 100 (0.43%)

    51. Pittsburgh Panthers: 100 (0.43%)

    52. Kansas State: 100 (0.43%)

    53. Clemson: 100 (0.43%)

    54. Iowa Hawkeyes: 100 (0.43%)

    55. Washington Huskies: 100 (0.43%)

    56. Colorado: 100 (0.43%)

    57. Utah Utes: 100 (0.43%)

    58. Northwestern Wildcats: 100 (0.43%)

    59. Drake Bulldogs: 100 (0.43%)

    60. Seton Hall Pirates: 100 (0.43%)

    61. West Virginia: 100 (0.43%)

    62. SMU Mustangs: 100 (0.43%)

    63. Ohio State Buckeyes: 100 (0.43%)

    64. Notre Dame: 100 (0.43%)

    65. Syracuse Orange: 100 (0.43%)

    66. New Mexico: 100 (0.43%)

    67. Auburn Tigers: 100 (0.43%)

    68. Butler Bulldogs: 100 (0.43%)

    69. UC San Diego: 100 (0.43%)

    70. San Diego State: 100 (0.43%)

    71. George Mason: 100 (0.43%)

    72. Xavier Musketeers: 100 (0.43%)

    73. St. Marys (CA): 100 (0.43%)

    74. Mississippi St.: 100 (0.43%)

    75. Missouri Tigers: 100 (0.43%)

    76. McNeese State: 100 (0.43%)

    77. Utah State: 100 (0.43%)

    78. Creighton: 100 (0.43%)

    79. Miami (FL): 100 (0.43%)

    80. Texas Longhorns: 100 (0.43%)

    81. Cincinnati Bearcats: 100 (0.43%)

    82. Georgia Tech: 100 (0.43%)

    83. Oklahoma Sooners: 100 (0.43%)

    84. DePaul Blue Demons: 100 (0.43%)

    85. Stanford Cardinal: 100 (0.43%)

    86. Providence Friars: 100 (0.43%)

    87. Oklahoma State: 100 (0.43%)

    88. Santa Clara: 100 (0.43%)

    89. Georgia Bulldogs: 100 (0.43%)

    90. Arizona State: 100 (0.43%)

    91. Texas A&M: 100 (0.43%)

    92. Penn State: 100 (0.43%)

    93. Yale: 100 (0.43%)

    94. Oregon Ducks: 100 (0.43%)

    95. St. Louis Billikens: 100 (0.43%)

    96. Georgetown: 100 (0.43%)

    97. USC Trojans: 100 (0.43%)

    98. Troy: 100 (0.43%)

    99. Akron Zips: 100 (0.43%)

    100. NC State: 100 (0.43%)

    101. Saint Marys: 100 (0.43%)

    102. Minnesota Golden Gophers: 100 (0.43%)

    103. Florida State: 100 (0.43%)

    104. Boston College: 100 (0.43%)

    105. Saint-Louis: 100 (0.43%)

    106. California Maritime: 100 (0.43%)

    107. Grand Canyon: 100 (0.43%)

    108. Georgetown Hoyas W: 100 (0.43%)

    109. Miami Hurricanes W: 100 (0.43%)

    110. UC San Diego Tritons W: 100 (0.43%)

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