Illinois vs Texas Basketball Prediction & Picks: Can Shannon shoot the Illini to a win over his former coach?

Madison Square Garden is the place to be tonight with two great college basketball matchups to look forward to as part of this year’s Jimmy V Classic. First up, #17 Illinois will take on #2 Texas, then in the second game, Iowa will face #15 Duke.

In the first matchup, there will be some notable familiarity. Illinois star Terrence Shannon Jr. played for current Texas coach Chris Beard for two seasons at Texas Tech, and after transferring out of Lubbock following his junior season, has taken on a starring role for the Illini this season.

Will Shannon and the Illini pick up their second win over a top-10 team this season? Or will the Longhorns continue their perfect start with a win in the Big Apple? Keep reading for our Illinois vs Texas prediction and betting picks.

Illinois Fighting Illini vs Texas Longhorns Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: #17 Illinois Fighting Illini (6-2) vs #2 Texas Longhorns (6-0)
• Venue & Location: Madison Square Garden (New York, New York)
• Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2022
• Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
• How to Watch Illinois vs Texas: ESPN

Illinois vs Texas Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at 2:30 pm ET. This article may also include odds for our other recommended sports betting sites.

Spread

• Illinois +2.5 (-110)
• Texas -2.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 141.5 (-110)
• Under 141.5 (-100)

Moneyline

• Illinois +125
• Texas -150

Can Shannon and the Illini Shoot Well Enough to Test Texas?

When Illinois defeated UCLA in Vegas, they shot 52.9 percent from the field and 48 percent from three. Leading the way was Shannon, who was 8 of 9 from three and 9 of 13 overall in as he went off for 29 points.

Since that win, the Illini have shot only 31.3 percent (36 of 115) from three, with Shannon making only 7 of 28 (25 percent) from outside in that stretch.

That hurt the Illini in a loss to Virginia in Vegas, and it also hurt them in their loss at Maryland to open Big Ten play last Thursday.

In the loss to Virginia, Shannon was just 1 of 5 from three and 4 of 10 overall from the field. And against Maryland, he was 7 of 11 on two-point shots, but he missed all five of his three-point attempts as the Terps remained undefeated with a 71-66 win.

Overall, Illinois made just 5 of 20 threes (25 percent) at Maryland, whereas they made 53.7 percent (22 of 41) of their two-points shots.

Texas has been rather tight defensively, especially from the perimeter. Opponents are shooting just 36.2 percent from the field against the Longhorns, and they are shooting just 23.2 percent (26 of 112) from three. Last Thursday, Creighton made just 4 of 27 three-point attempts in their 72-67 loss in Austin.

Illinois vs Texas Prediction and Picks

Illinois vs Texas Prediction: Texas to win

Illinois vs Texas Picks: Texas ML (Best Value: -145 at Bovada Sportsbook) & Texas team total over (Best Value: over 71.5 @ -116 at BetOnline)

If Shannon and the Illini are able to make some shots, they will have a chance in this one.

Creighton made things interesting late against Texas when Baylor Scheierman started hitting shots, so if Illinois can get going sooner than the final few minutes, they can definitely win this game.

But I expect Texas to put the clamps down on the Illini, and I expect them to do so while also continuing their run of scoring at least 72 points in every game this season.

Defense is always going to be the backbone of Chris Beard’s success, but after averaging just 68.8 points per game last season, they are averaging 80.5 PPG thus far this season. It’s still early, but they seem intent on not being burned by a lack of consistent offense this season.

I think the Illini can keep this one competitive throughout, but I don’t trust that they will be able to generate enough offense outside of Shannon to be able to pull off the upset.

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