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No. 8 Alabama Faces Tough Test vs. No. 25 Illinois

Illinois and Alabama will both be trying to pick up a win when they battle at Legacy Arena at BJCC.

(Photo by Getty Images) Mark Sears

Illinois (3-0) at Alabama (3-1)

  • When: Nov 20 2024, 9:00 PM
  • Where: Legacy Arena at BJCC, Birmingham, AL, USA
  • Where to watch: SEC Network

Game Odds, Spread, Moneyline & Total

Illinois (#25) @ Alabama (#8)
Moneyline

Illinois (#25)   +285
Alabama (#8)   -370

Illinois (#25) @ Alabama (#8)
Point Spread

Illinois (#25)   8.5 (-110)
Alabama (#8)   -8.5 (-110)

Illinois (#25) @ Alabama (#8)
Total

Over   167.0 (-110)
Under   167.0 (-110)

Team Stats

Illinois   Alabama
3-0 Record 3-1
0-0 Away & Home 3-0
2-1-0 ATS 1-3-0
W3 O/U L1

Last Matchup:
ALA 79-58, March 17th, 2015

Game Preview

Alabama seeks redemption after a tough loss to Purdue as they prepare to face No. 25 Illinois in the C.M. Newton Classic on Wednesday. The Crimson Tide (3-1) failed to cover in their 87-78 defeat against the Boilermakers, exposing defensive weaknesses despite an impressive 18-point outing from freshman guard Labaron Philon. Head coach Nate Oats emphasized the value of testing his team against elite competition, but the Tide’s struggles defending the perimeter and forcing turnovers remain concerns.

Illinois (3-0), coming off a grind-it-out 66-54 win over Oakland, also faces questions about its offense. The Illini hit just 28% from deep in their last game and committed 18 turnovers, which could spell trouble against Alabama’s aggressive play. However, Illinois boasts standout performances from Tomislav Ivisic, who is averaging 17.3 points and 9 rebounds per game, and Will Riley, who adds scoring punch off the bench.

The game pits Alabama’s explosive offense, led by Mark Sears (17.3 PPG), against an Illinois defense that thrives on forcing mistakes. Both teams have something to prove, with Illinois covering easily in their last three matchups and Alabama looking to rebound after a failure to cover in their first true test.

Betting Outlook: While Alabama enters as the higher-ranked team, Illinois’ ability to disrupt the pace could keep this closer than expected. With the spread likely favoring Alabama, Illinois +points might offer solid value. Additionally, the under could be a strong play given both teams’ recent scoring inconsistencies.

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NCAA Basketball Parlay Picks & Predictions

Final Score: Alabama 85-79
Expert Pick: Illinois +8½ & Under 167
A $100 Parlay Bet will return $364

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