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Illinois vs. Iowa prediction: Why Illinois is favored to win men's college basketball matchup [1/11/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get Illinois vs Iowa predictions for college basketball Sunday.
Iowa and Illinois will lock horns in men's college basketball action at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, starting at 12:00 PM ET.
Based on updated simulation results, Dimers' proven college basketball model gives Illinois a slight edge with a 53% win probability over Iowa.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Sunday's Illinois vs. Iowa matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and picks.
Illinois vs. Iowa prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using powerful machine learning and data analysis, we have simulated the outcome of Sunday's NCAA basketball matchup between Illinois and Iowa 10,000 times as part of our men's college basketball predictions coverage.
Our leading predictive model gives Illinois a 53% chance of beating Iowa. Our predicted final score has Illinois winning 73-72.
According to our model, Iowa (+1.5) has a 55% chance of covering the spread, while the over/under total of 142.5 points has a 55% chance of going over.
Illinois vs. Iowa odds
We have researched the best men's college basketball odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Illinois | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | -1.5 (-104) | +1.5 (-112) |
| Moneyline | -120 | +100 |
| Total | o142.5 (-105) | u142.5 (-110) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Illinois vs. Iowa picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Iowa +1.5 | -112 |
| Moneyline | Illinois | -120 |
| Total | Over 142.5 | -105 |
According to our men's college basketball best bets, the top play to make on this game is Over 142.5 total points.
Illinois vs. Iowa game-day updates and essential details
Sunday's men's college basketball matchup between Iowa and Illinois at Carver-Hawkeye Arena is scheduled to commence at 12:00 PM ET.
- Who: Illinois vs. Iowa
- Date: Sunday, January 11, 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM ET/9:00AM PT
- Venue: Carver-Hawkeye Arena
Conclusion
We predict Illinois, with a 53% win probability, will likely beat Iowa on Sunday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Illinois vs. Iowa insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Jason Bevilacqua, an expert in MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, delivers game previews, best bets, and props. Since 2020, as Head of Social and Community at Dimers, he has contributed insightful articles utilizing data-driven models and simulations.
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