Southern Jaguars vs Illinois Fighting Illini NCAAB Betting Pick & Prediction for 12/29

The Southern Jaguars will take on the Illinois Fighting Illini at the State Farm Center in Champaign, IL. This game is a non-conference matchup between the Jaguars from the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the Fighting Illini from the Big Ten. The game is set to air on BTN at 3:00 PM ET on Monday, December 29, 2025.

Illinois enters the game ranked #20 with a 9-3 record, showing strength at home with a 6-2 record. Southern has struggled this season with a 4-8 record and has found it tough on the road, winning only 1 of their 9 away games. The point spread favors Illinois by 31.5 points, highlighting the challenge Southern faces in this game.

Southern Jaguars vs Illinois Fighting Illini Game Day Info

  • Sport: College Basketball
  • Teams: Southern Jaguars vs Illinois Fighting Illini
  • Venue: State Farm Center, Champaign IL
  • Date: Monday, December 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM ET
  • Betting Odds: Southern Spread +31.5 (-112), Illinois Spread -31.5 (-114), Over/Under 164.5

Southern Jaguars Team Preview

The Southern Jaguars have had a challenging season so far. They hold a record of 4 wins and 8 losses. On the road, their performance has been tough, with only 1 win out of 9 away games.

In their recent games, the Jaguars faced tough opponents. Against Baylor, they lost by 44 points, with Michael Jacobs scoring 20 points. Earlier, they had a close game against Texas State, losing by only 3 points, with Malek Abdelgowad leading the team with 21 points.

Looking at player stats, Michael Jacobs stands out with an average of 20.9 points per game. Malek Abdelgowad contributes significantly with 11.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Cam Amboree also plays a key role, averaging 10.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

Illinois Fighting Illini Team Preview

The Illinois Fighting Illini are having a solid season with a record of 9-3. They are ranked 20th in the AP poll and play in the Big Ten Conference. At home, they have secured 6 wins and suffered 2 losses.

Offensively, the team averages 88.1 points per game, ranking 36th nationally. They have a field goal percentage of 48.1, which is 78th in the country. The Illini are effective from the free-throw line, shooting 78.4%, placing them 32nd overall.

Key players include Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell. Wagler leads with an average of 15.7 points per game, while Boswell adds 15.2 points on average. Zvonimir Ivisic contributes with strong rebounding, averaging 5.6 per game.

BTB Betting Pick

For the spread, pick Illinois to cover the -31.5 point line. Illinois scores 88.1 points per game, while Southern allows many points. Southern’s defense struggles with turnovers and fouls, which Illinois can exploit. The projected score is Illinois 95, Southern 63, showing Illinois covering the spread.

For the total, take the under 164.5 points. The combined projected score of Illinois 95 and Southern 63 is 158 points. Southern’s slower pace of 65.8 possessions per game may limit scoring opportunities, keeping the total under the line.