The 10th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Northwestern Wildcats in Big 10 action. Illinois is 14-4 overall and 5-2 in the Big 10 while Northwestern is 13-5 and 4-3 in the Big 10. Illinois is 12-5-1 against the number. The Wildcats are 7-9-2 ATS this season. This will be the second meeting between these two teams this season, with Illinois winning by 30 in that game without their best player who has since returned to the team. With Shannon in the lineup, the Illini are 10-2 SU, winning by an average of 16.58 points. Northwestern does come in in with a 13-5 record but that came against the 332nd-ranked non-conference schedule. Illinois is 23rd in the nation in scoring offense and 58th in field goal percentage. Illinois will have an advantage on the glass which will allow them to get out and set the pace as Northwestern will try to slow the pace. I like Illinois to roll in this one as they could be a final-four team with Shannon on the lineup.

Play on Illinois. This is a 5% play.