Illinois vs. Penn State Prediction, How to Watch, Odds, Channel - Jan 3

Updated Jan. 3, 2026 8:27 p.m. ET

Data Skrive

The No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini (10-3, 1-1 Big Ten) will visit the Penn State Nittany Lions (9-4, 0-2 Big Ten) after winning three road games in a row. The contest begins at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 3, 2026.

The Fighting Illini enter their matchup against the Nittany Lions as double-digit favorites. The Fighting Illini are favored by 14.5 points. The game features an over/under of 156.5.

Keep scrolling to get everything you need to know ahead of placing bets on the Illinois-Penn State clash.

Illinois vs. Penn State How to Watch & Odds

When: Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: The Palestra in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TV: Big Ten Network
Streaming: FOXSports.com, FOX Sports App and FOX One (Try free for 7 days)

Fighting Illini vs Nittany Lions Betting Information
Favorite	Spread	Favorite Spread Odds	Underdog Spread Odds	Total	Over Total Odds	Under Total Odds	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline
Fighting Illini	-14.5	-113	-107	156.5	-110	-112	-1449	+828

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Illinois vs. Penn State Prediction

Pick ATS: Penn State (+14.5)
Pick OU: Under (156.5)
Prediction: Illinois 83, Penn State 72

Learn more about the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. the Penn State Nittany Lions game on FOX Sports!

Illinois vs. Penn State Betting Insights

Betting Line Implied Predictions

Based on the spread and over/under, the implied score for the game is Fighting Illini 86, Nittany Lions 71.
The Fighting Illini have a 93.5% chance to win this game based on the moneyline's implied probability.
The Nittany Lions sit with a 10.8% implied probability to come out on top.

Key Spread Facts

Illinois is 8-5-0 ATS this season.
Penn State is 4-9-0 ATS this season.
Illinois has been favored by 14.5 points or more six times this season, and covered the spread in four of those games.
Penn State has not covered the spread this year (0-1 ATS) when playing as at least 14.5-point underdogs.

Key Total Facts

In seven games this year, the Fighting Illini and their opponent have combined to score more than 156.5 points.
Nittany Lions games have had over 156.5 points five times this year.
These two teams score a combined average of 167.3 points per game, higher than the total for this matchup by 10.8 points.

Key Moneyline Facts

Illinois has been the moneyline favorite 11 times this season. They've finished 9-2 in those games.
Penn State has been listed as the underdog three times this season and have failed to win any of those games.
Illinois has won all six games it played as a moneyline favorite with odds of -1449 or shorter.
Penn State has not entered a game this season with longer moneyline odds than +828.

Illinois vs. Penn State: Recent Results

Fighting Illini vs Nittany Lions Recent Games
Date	Favorite	Spread	Total	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline	Result
1/8/2025	Fighting Illini	-9.5	163.5	-474	+358	91-52 ILL

Illinois vs. Penn State: 2025-26 Stats Comparison

	Illinois	Penn State
Points Scored Per Game (Rank)	88.2 (28)	79.1 (140)
Points Allowed (Rank)	68.5 (72)	74.3 (211)
Rebounds (Rank)	12.5 (15)	8.1 (300)
3pt Made (Rank)	10.5 (32)	7.4 (240)
Assists (Rank)	15.4 (122)	14 (211)
Turnovers (Rank)	9.8 (40)	9.2 (17)

Illinois 2025-26 Key Players

Fighting Illini Leaders
Name	GP	PTS	REB	ASST	STL	BLK	3PM
Keaton Wagler	13	15.3	5.2	3.8	0.9	0.4	2.1
Andrej Stojakovic	12	14.8	3.9	1.2	0.4	0.7	0.7
Kylan Boswell	13	14.7	4.2	3.4	0.5	0	1.5
David Mirkovic	13	13.1	8.3	2.5	0.5	0.3	1.2
Tomislav Ivisic	10	10.5	5	1.3	0.3	0.6	1.5

Penn State 2025-26 Key Players

Nittany Lions Leaders
Name	GP	PTS	REB	ASST	STL	BLK	3PM
Kayden Mingo	13	14.8	4.1	4.5	2.4	0.1	0.8
Freddie Filione V	13	14.5	3.5	2.5	1.2	0.2	1.4
Melih Tunca	13	11	2.6	3.1	1	0.3	1
Josh Reed	13	9.1	3.8	1.2	1.2	0.1	0.6
Ivan Jurić	13	8.4	3.8	0.5	0.3	0.3	0.5