Illinois vs Missouri Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for Dec. 22 (Fighting Illini Extend Tigers' Big Ten Troubles)

Illinois vs Missouri Game Info

2022-23 NCAA College Basketball Regular Season Game
No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini (8-3) vs. Missouri Tigers (10-1)
Date: Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Venue: Enterprise Center — St. Louis, MO
Coverage: SEC Network

The 2022-23 NCAA college basketball season continues on Thursday, Dec. 22, including a Big Ten-SEC clash between the No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini and Missouri Tigers.

Illinois is riding momentum stemming from a solid defensive effort, having defeated Alabama A&M, 68-47, on Saturday. Meanwhile, Missouri bounced back from its first loss of the season in its latest outing, pulling off a 68-66 win against UCF over the weekend as well.

Can Illinois win back-to-back games for the first time since November? Or will Missouri find rare success against the Big Ten?

Illinois vs Missouri Odds & Spread

All NCAA college basketball betting lines, odds and prop bets.
Moneyline: ILL: (-285) | MIZ: (+230)
Spread: ILL:-6.5 (-105) | MIZ: +6.5 (-115)
Total: 154.5 - Over: (-105) | Under: (-115)

Illinois enters this contest as the clear favorite on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 9 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 154.5 points, which is higher than the majority of Thursday's projected totals.

Illinois vs Missouri Prediction

Although Missouri averages the second-most points in the United States (88.4 PPG), that offense has been nowhere to be found lately. The Tigers have averaged just 67.5 points in their last two games, turning the ball over a combined 36 times in those outings. Adding insult to injury, Missouri has also lost its only game against a ranked opponent (Kansas) so far.

As long as Illinois' defense stays strong, it'll be a long night for Missouri. The Fighting Illini allow only 62.1 points (No. 36) on 38.4% shooting (No. 17), also forcing opponents to turn the ball over 16.7 times per game (T-No. 26). They also have wins over programs like UCLA and Texas this fall, so defeating a Tigers squad used to playing lesser competition shouldn't be an issue.

With the Tigers also losing eight of their last 11 games against Big Ten teams while the Fighting Illini have won 14 of their last 20 against the SEC, going with Illinois as the victor is the right call.

Final Score Prediction: Illinois: 78 | Missouri: 73

Illinois vs Missouri Betting Trends

- Illinois is 8-3 straight up in its last 11 games.
- Missouri is 1-4 against the spread (ATS) in its last five games in December.
- The total has hit the over in four of Illinois' last six games against Missouri.
- The total has hit the over in four of Missouri's last five games.

Illinois vs Missouri Best Bet

Even though the total has gone over in four of the last six Illinois-Missouri matchups, don't count on it happening in this game. First of all, the Tigers' offense has fallen off over the last few games, whereas is only operating at a 70.7 PPG clip during its last three outings.

Secondly, Illinois and Missouri have only combined for more than 154.5 points twice in their last 19 get-togethers. Unless all defense is abandoned at Enterprise Center, I predict a lower total than expected.

Bet: Under 154.5 Points (-115)

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.