The Jimmy V Classic gives us a pair of exciting college basketball games on Tuesday, Dec. 6. The first contest is between Texas and Illinois, which is scheduled for 7 pm ET while airing on ESPN. Texas enters this game as 2.5-point favorites with the total set at 140.5. How will this one play out? Let’s dive into the Texas vs. Illinois predictions below.
Texas vs. Illinois Odds
- Spread: Texas -2.5
- Total: 140.5
Odds via Betfred. Click here to redeem our exclusive Betfred Promo Code for $250 in free bets!
Game Info
- Date: Tuesday, Dec. 6
- Time: 7 pm ET
- Location: Madison Square Garden — New York, NY
- TV: ESPN
Texas Betting Trends
- Texas is 3-3 ATS this season
- The Over is 1-3-2 in Texas games this season
- Texas is 3-3 ATS as favorites this season
Illinois Betting Trends
- Illinois is 5-3 ATS this season
- The Over is 4-4 in Illinois games this season
- Illinois is 1-1 ATS as underdogs this season
Texas vs. Illinois Predictions
Texas enters this game ranked No. 2 in the country with a perfect 6-0 record. The Longhorns have a pair of notable wins under their belt, beating No. 18 Gonzaga 93-74 and No. 21 Creighton 72-67. However, both of those matchups were played in Austin, and Texas got a substantial lift from the home crowd. This game against Illinois is a neutral-site draw taking place in Madison Square Garden. Will the Longhorns bring the same intensity away from home?
Illinois is a young, exciting, and talented team that currently ranks No. 17. The Fighting Illini have solid wins over No. 19 UCLA and Syracuse, but they lost to No. 3 Virginia and No. 13 Maryland to put them at 6-2 on the year.
Ultimately, Texas plays solid defense with plenty of intensity. That style usually travels well, while the Longhorns’ blend of transfers and freshmen are playing well together. Let’s take Texas on the short spread.
The Pick: Texas -2.5 | -110 at Betfred Sportsbook