#11 Alabama vs. #8 Illinois Picks and Predictions: Ranked Battle at the United Center

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Stojakovic has led the Illini in scoring in three separate games this year - Illinois Tennessee Picks

The No. 11 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide roll into the Windy City to take on the No. 8 Illinois Fighting Illini. Although this isn’t a home game for Brad Underwood’s squad, you’ve got to think the United Center will be filled with a lot more orange than red on Wednesday night. Can the Tide bounce back following their home loss to Purdue in what will be a third straight game against a top 10 opponent? Let’s find out with our favorite picks.

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#11 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. #8 Illinois Fighting Illini NCAA Basketball Insights

Labaron Philon leads the Tide against another top 10 opponent - Alabama Illinois Picks

Labaron Philon leads the Tide against another top 10 opponent

Yes, this is the third straight matchup against a top 10 team for the Tide. After beating North Dakota in their opener, they took down No. 5 St. John’s at Madison Square Garden. After that, they just lost to No. 2 Purdue at home last Thursday. Now they face the No. 8 Illini in what will basically feel like a road game, much like how things probably felt in MSG. Looking ahead, Alabama faces No. 13 Gonzaga on Monday in Las Vegas in the start of the Player’s Era Festival in Las Vegas, so more travel and another very tough opponent, perhaps a fourth straight top 10 foe. Can they keep going in this early season gauntlet?

Illinois is dealing with tons of injuries but they are still cruising. They covered the spread in their first three wins, beating Texas Tech in a big one at home before only beating Colgate by 19. Boohoo. My worry for them, is this will be their first contest outside of Champaign. Sure, Chicago is just a short two hour drive away, but the Illini won’t have the comfort of the State Farm Center in this one.

Matchup Information – Alabama vs. Illinois – November 19

  • Venue & Location: United Center (Chicago, IL)
  • Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
  • Kick Off: 9:00 p.m. Eastern
  • Broadcast: FS1

Alabama vs. Illinois Betting Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of November 18, 2025 at 6:43 p.m. eastern. Sign up today with Promo Code BNBOL55 for a 55% deposit bonus. BetOnline offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.

Spread

  • Alabama +3 (-115)
  • Illinois -3 (-105)

Total

  • Over 180 (-118)
  • Under 180 (-102)

Both of these teams are incredibly fast, hence the massive total. I honestly like the over, but watched it steam up from 176 to 178.5 before my own two eyes and now we see it at the 180 mark. It’s a pass for me on the total, but I definitely think we see plenty of points.

Alabama is the second fastest team in the country, and the Illini are No. 36. They have no problem playing fast, they actually prefer it, and I think they are capable of handing the Tide back to back losses early in the season.

#11 Alabama vs. #8 Illinois NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions

Kylan Boswell is a senior leader for this Illini team - Alabama Illinois Picks

Kylan Boswell is a senior leader for this Illini team

Alabama vs. Illinois Prediction: Illinois Wins and Covers, Over 180

Best Bet: Illinois -3 (-105) BetOnline

Alabama lives and dies by the three ball. We know this. Against Purdue they were 16/43 from deep, shooting over 65% of their shots from downtown, and against the Johnnies they were 11/35, taking 43% of total field goal attempts from beyond the arc. In both games, they struggled to get to the line when their opponent shot a ton. Alabama gave up 63 total free throws while only taking 32 in those games. Illinois will take advantage, they can exploit the Tide’s weaknesses.

For starters, the Illini rank No. 36 in the country in three point percentage defense, holding their foes to just 25%. We saw Alabama’s front count get exposed against Purdue, as they were out rebounded 52-28, and Illinois certainly has the big bodies of their own to clean up the glass. Illinois ranks top 10 in rebounding on both sides of the basketball.

Plus, the European All Stars of Champaign rank top 50 in eFG% and top 15 in adjusted efficiency on both sides of the ball. The Illini are good, and I promise it’s not just my 40-1 future saying so. Look for them to take down an already demoralized Alabama team.

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