Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Illinois Fighting Illini NCAAB Betting Prediction
PublishedJanuary 17, 2026,            Posted By: Maria Uebelhor
Last updated:January 17, 2026 ,

NCAAB Minnesota Golden vs Illinois Fighting Prediction 1/17

The Minnesota Golden Gophers will take on the #13 Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET. The game will be held at the State Farm Center in Champaign, IL, and is a Big Ten conference matchup. Illinois enters as the favorite, with a spread of -16.5, while Minnesota is the underdog with a spread of +16.5. The game will be televised on BTN.

Minnesota vs. Illinois Betting Prediction

  • Spread Prediction: Illinois -16.5. Illinois has a strong record and is ranked #13. They have been successful against the spread, winning 70% of their last 10 games. This makes them a solid choice to cover the spread.
  • Over/Under Prediction: Under 142.5. Both teams have shown trends toward the under. Illinois has gone under in 70% of their games, while Minnesota has gone under in 64.7% of theirs.

Team Trends

  • The game is set at the State Farm Center in Champaign, IL, with Illinois as the favorite.
  • Illinois Fighting Illini have a strong SU record, winning 14 of their 17 games this season.
  • Minnesota Golden Gophers have a +16.5 spread and a MoneyLine of +1057.
  • Illinois has covered the spread in 11 of their 17 games this season.
  • The over/under for the game is set at 142.5 points.

Minnesota vs Illinois Preview

The Minnesota Golden Gophers will travel to face the #13 Illinois Fighting Illini on January 17, 2026. The game will be played at the State Farm Center in Champaign, IL. It is a Big Ten conference game, and the action starts at 12:00 PM ET on BTN.

Minnesota has had a tough stretch, losing two of their last three games by narrow margins. They lost to Wisconsin by three and USC by one. Illinois, on the other hand, comes in strong with three straight wins, including an 11-point victory over Northwestern. Illinois is favored by 16.5 points in this game, making Minnesota the underdog.

Illinois Fighting Illini: A Strong Contender

The Illinois Fighting Illini are having a solid season. They hold a 14-3 record, showing strength both at home and away. With an 8-2 home record, the team is tough to beat at the State Farm Center. Illinois ranks 13th in the AP poll, reflecting their performance. The team scores 85.6 points per game, ranking them 45th in the nation. Their field goal percentage is 47.7%, placing them 72nd overall. Key players like Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell lead the team. Wagler averages 16.1 points per game, while Boswell adds 14.6 points. Both players contribute to Illinois’ success this season.

Golden Gophers Aim to Surprise

The Minnesota Golden Gophers hold a 10-7 record this season. They have struggled on the road, winning only 1 out of 5 games. Playing against Illinois at the State Farm Center will be a challenge for them. In recent games, the Golden Gophers have shown mixed results. They lost to Wisconsin by 3 points and USC by 1 point. However, they managed to secure a win against Iowa, winning by 3 points. Key players for Minnesota include Cade Tyson and Langston Reynolds. Tyson averages 21.1 points per game, while Reynolds contributes 10.7 points. These players are vital for the team’s performance in their upcoming game.

Final Betting Pick

Illinois is favored by 16.5 points, and this spread is justified. They have a strong record of 14-3 and are ranked #13. Illinois has been successful against the spread in 70% of their last 10 games. Their offense scores 85.6 points per game, which ranks 45th, making them a solid choice to cover the spread.

The over/under is set at 142.5, and trends suggest the under is a good pick. Illinois has gone under in 70% of their games, while Minnesota has done so in 64.7%. Both teams play at a slower pace, with Illinois averaging 58.7 possessions per game and Minnesota at 60.1. This slower pace supports the under prediction.

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.