Illinois vs. Northwestern odds, props, predictions: Can Wildcats avenge early-season blowout loss to Illini?

The Fighting Illini and Wildcats are in the top four of the standings in the Big Ten, and tonight's contest will be important for each team trying to stay within reach of first place.

The Illini are 10-8 against the spread and have been solid in conference play with a 4-2 ATS record. Illinois has won and covered the spread in each of their last two matchups. Their offense has been at its best, hitting the OVER for total points in their last three matchups. Tonight's matchup will be the second of the season for the two rivals, with Illinois winning convincingly on Jan. 2, 96-66.

As for the Wildcats, they have not been nearly as good against the spread this season, with a 7-11 ATS record. After covering the spread in three of their first four Big Ten games, including two wins as outright underdogs, Northwestern has not covered in their last three contests. That has been during a 1-2 stretch, making their matchup with Illinois tonight pivotal to getting their season back on track.

Here is the Illinois vs. Northwestern betting news, player props and a betting prediction for tonight's Big Ten matchup. The game tips off at 9 p.m. on BTN.

Live odds for Illinois vs. Northwestern

Here are the spread, moneyline and total points live odds for Illinois vs. Northwestern at the best online sportsbooks.

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Illinois Fighting Illini betting news

The Illini have been very impressive considering the December suspension of their leading scorer, Terrence Shannon Jr., who has returned after a judge's ruling required Ilinois to reinstate him. Shannon was arrested on a rape charge and suspended by the university on Dec. 28. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Feb. 23. 

The Illini managed to go 4-2 without him in the lineup. Shannon Jr. is one of the top scorers in the country, averaging 21.3 PPG, and when he gets hot, he can take over any game. He has multiple games over 30 points this season, and in every game where he has scored at least 23 points this season, the Illini are undefeated.

In his absence, multiple Illinois players stepped up and proved they were capable of more — none more so than Marcus Domask, who averaged 20.8 PPG and 4.2 APG over the six games without Shannon. His emergence now gives Illinois two All-Conference-level players who can provide 25-plus points on any given night. 

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Northwestern Wildcats betting news

The Wildcats have had as many impressive wins this season as any team in the Big Ten. The boast wins over Purdue (92-88), Michigan State (88-74) and Maryland (72-69). The consistency's not there for the Wildcats, though, as they also have some shocking and blowout defeats. They lost to Chicago State (73-75) and were blown out in the first matchup with Illinois (96-66).

Leading scorer Boo Buie (17.9 PPG) can take over any contest, like when he dropped 31 points in the Wildcats upset of Purdue. Yet in two of Northwestern's four losses this season, he scored just nine points. In competitive matchups, the Wildcats go as Buie does, and that's a lot to put on one player. 

What Northwestern needs is more production from their front court. The Wildcats' top four scorers are all guards, and they do not have a center or forward averaging more than seven points or four rebounds per game. They could live without the scoring, but to not get rebounding production gives the Wildcats a low floor. Add in the height and length of Illinois, and it is easy to see why the Wildcats were run out of the gym in their first matchup.

Illinois vs. Northwestern player props at Caesars Sportsbook

Here are some of the top player prop markets for Illinois vs. Northwestern from Caesars Sportsbook.

Boo Buie player props

• 17.5 points OVER (-125) / UNDER (-117)
• 2.5 rebounds OVER (-178) / UNDER (+120)
• 5.5 assists OVER (-143) / UNDER (-102)
• 1.5 threes OVER (-127) / UNDER (-115)

Brooks Barnhizer player props

• 14.5 points OVER (-133) / UNDER (-110)
• 5.5 rebounds OVER (-139) / UNDER (-105)
• 2.5 assists OVER (+110) / UNDER (-161)
• 1.5 threes OVER (+168) / UNDER (-258)

Ty Berry player props

• 12.5 points OVER (-111) / UNDER (-131)
• 4.5 rebounds OVER (+110) / UNDER (-161)
• 1.5 assists OVER (+115) / UNDER (-170)
• 1.5 threes OVER (-121) / UNDER (-121)

Ryan Langborg player props

• 10.5 points OVER (-123) / UNDER (-119)
• 3.5 rebounds OVER (-104) / UNDER (-141)
• 1.5 assists OVER (-173) / UNDER (+117)
• 1.5 threes OVER (-115) / UNDER (-127)

Illinois vs. Northwestern prediction: Illini finish regular season sweep of Northwestern

The Illini have a lot of length and are a challenging matchup for Northwestern. While the Illini probably won't win by 30 points this time around, they should handle the Wildcats easily for the second time this season, especially with the boost they have gotten from Terrence Shannon Jr.'s return.

Pick: Illinois