USC's defense allows opponents to shoot 43.3% from the field. They're off to a 1-3 start in Big Ten play, though, losing two in a row to Michigan and Indiana, averaging 71.5 points. The road doesn't get any easier against an Illinois defense that is eighth in the nation, allowing 37.6% shooting. Illinois star guard and leading scorer Kasparas Jakucionis (16.4 ppg, 5.4 apg) is questionable to play with a left forearm injury. He missed Wednesday's game against Penn State. Illinois ranks sixth in the country in two-point defense (.424) and fourth in 3-point defense (.278). Take USC/Illinois UNDER the total.
Previous Matchups & Picks
February 18, 2026 10:00pm ET
@
Illinois Fighting Illini
#753
USC Trojans
#754
Lines & Odds
-8.5 (-110)
ATS
+8.5 (-110)
-491
Moneyline
+372
OVER 152 (-110)
Total
UNDER 152 (-110)
Fighting Illini vs. Trojans Spread Picks
Get Fighting Illini vs. Trojans point spread picks, expert spread analysis, computer model picks, betting consensus data, matchup breakdowns, key betting angles, and the latest odds insights for today's Fighting Illini vs. Trojans game.
Public Consensus
Who was the public on? 58% of the public bets were on USC Trojans on the +8.5 ATS. And, 57% of the bets were on the game to go OVER the total.
Computer Predictions
My computer prediction for this game was that Illinois would win by a score of 80.8 to 71.9 with Illinois winning on the moneyline and on the spread and the game going OVER the total.
Final Score
1H
2H
F
Illinois Fighting Illini 
32
47
101
USC Trojans
32
33
65
CBB Pro Pick Results
Here’s how my Pro Picks are performing.
CBBCBB
Free Picks last 13.3 years
Wins
Losses
Units
386
346
+5.09
CBBCBB
All Picks last 6.1 years
Wins
Losses
Units
9
6
+3.65
CBBCBB
Between teams last 1 day
Wins
Losses
Units
1
0
+1.38
January 11, 2025 12:00pm ET
@
USC Trojans
#603
Illinois Fighting Illini
#604
Lines & Odds
+12.5 (-110)
ATS
-12.5 (-110)
+672
Moneyline
-1117
OVER 154 (-110)
Total
UNDER 154 (-110)
Public Consensus
Who was the public on? 67% of the public bets were on Illinois Fighting Illini on the -12.5 ATS. And, 54% of the bets were on the game to go OVER the total.
Computer Predictions
My computer prediction for this game was that Illinois would win by a score of 81.2 to 72.1 with Illinois winning on the moneyline, USC winning on the spread and the game going UNDER the total.
Pro Picks
This Pro Pick was released to clients on January 11, 2025 at 7:23AM ET.
CBB
USC at Illinois
January 11, 2025
12:00 PM Eastern
Final Score
1H
2H
F
USC Trojans
35
47
82
Illinois Fighting Illini
38
34
72
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