Maryland Terrapins vs Illinois Fighting Illini NCAAB Betting Prediction

Maryland vs Illinois Fighting Prediction 1/23/2025

The Maryland Terrapins (14-5) travel to face off against the Illinois Fighting Illini (13-5) on Thursday, January 23rd. This game will be played at State Farm Center in Champaign and televised on FS1. Maryland is coming off a win in their previous game, while Illinois is looking to get back on track from a loss to the Michigan State. Tip-off is set for 9:00 ET.

Maryland Terrapins vs Illinois Fighting Illini

The Terrapins Are Coming Off A Win

Maryland Terrapins Recent Game/Games

Maryland improved to 14-5 on the season with a 69-66 win over Nebraska on Sunday. The Terrapins were favored by 9.5 points but didn’t cover the spread.

Maryland led 37-35 at halftime and edged out Nebraska 32-31 in the second half. The game’s total points of 135 fell short of the 146.5 over/under line.

The Fighting Illini Are Coming Off A Win

Illinois Fighting Illini Recent Game/Games

The Fighting Illini dropped to 13-5 on the season after a narrow 80-78 loss to Michigan State on Sunday. Illinois entered the game as +1 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread with the two-point loss.

Illinois and Michigan State combined for 158 points, just under the 159.5 O/U line. The Illini scored 42 points in the 2nd half but allowed 44, leading to the loss.

Terrapins Offense Breakdown

Ja’Kobi Gillespie led the Terps with 22 points, hitting 5 of 9 from deep and adding 5 assists. Andrew Morgan contributed 17 points on 7 of 12 shooting, while Rodney Rice added 15 points, connecting on 2 of 7 from beyond the arc.

Maryland shot 44.8% from the field, with a 40% mark from three, hitting 10 of 25 attempts. They struggled at the free-throw line, converting just 58.3% of their shots, and grabbed 8 offensive rebounds, finishing with 15 assists as a team.

Fighting Illini Offense Breakdown

Illinois put up 78 points in their last game, shooting 42.4% from the field and 20.8% from three-point range, hitting just 5 of 24 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 45.5%, and they connected on 54.8% of their two-point shots.

At the free-throw line, the Illini shot 63%, making 17 of 27 attempts. They grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and dished out 16 assists. Will Riley led the team with 19 points, while Tre Holloman added 17, despite missing all three of his three-point attempts.

Terrapins Team Defense

Maryland’s defense gave up 66 points, with their opponents shooting 44% from the field on 26 of 58 attempts. Inside the arc, Maryland allowed 16 of 33 shooting, which is 48%.

From three-point range, Maryland’s opponents hit 10 of 25 shots, good for 40%. The Terrapins sent them to the free-throw line 12 times, where they made 7, shooting 58%. Maryland also gave up 8 offensive rebounds.

Fighting Illini Team Defense

Maryland’s defense gave up 66 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 44% from the field, hitting 26 of their 58 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 16 two-point baskets on 33 attempts, a 48% shooting rate.

From three-point range, Maryland’s opponents connected on 10 of 25 shots, shooting 40%. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 12 times, where they made 7, shooting 58%. Maryland allowed 8 offensive rebounds.

Terrapins vs Fighting Illini Trends

  • When looking at their past five road matchups, Maryland has an ATS record of 2-3 while averaging 77 per game. The team went 1-4 overall in these games.
  • When looking at their past ten home matchups, Illinois has an ATS record of 5-5 while averaging 79 per game. The team went 7-3 overall in these games.
  • As the betting underdog, the Terrapins have an ATS mark of just 5-5 in their last ten games. Maryland posted a straight up mark of 2-8 in these matchups.
  • As the betting favorite, the Fighting Illini have an ATS record of 2-1 in their last three games. In these matchups, their straight up record was 2-1.

Terrapins vs Fighting Illini Prediction

When looking to get a point-spread pick down in this Fighting Illini vs. Fighting Illini game, our recommendation is to take the Fighting Illini at -7.5. Despite our model showing the Fighting Illini winning 76-70, we like Terrapins as our point-spread pick.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 158.5, and our model predicts the Terrapins and Fighting Illini to score a combined 146 points. We recommend betting on the under.


All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!


* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.