The No. 11 Florida Atlantic Owls (7-1) and the No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini (6-1) link up in the 2023 Jimmy V Classic on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden. The Owls are 2-point favorites in the latest Florida Atlantic vs. Illinois odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 146.5 and FAU is the -137 favorite on the money line (see up-to-date odds for every game this week on our college basketball odds page). 

Before making any Florida Atlantic vs. Illinois picks, you need to check out the college basketball predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 5 of the 2023-24 season on a 98-61 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $2,000 for $100 players. It is also off to a 10-2 start on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen HUGE returns!

The model knows Florida Atlantic junior center Vladislav Goldin is a lengthy playmaker. Goldin uses his size to overpower players in the lane, leading the team in points (15.4), rebounds (7.1) and blocks (2.1). In his last outing, Goldin finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks.

The model also knows Illinois senior guard Terrence Shannon Jr. provides this unit with an athletic difference maker. Shannon Jr. glides to the rack and finishes with force above the rim. The Illinois native averages a team-best 20 points with 4.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. On Dec. 2 against Rutgers, he totaled 23 points and 10 rebounds. 

Now, the model has set its sights on Florida Atlantic vs. Illinois. We can tell you the model is leaning Under on the point total, and it also says one side of the spread is the better value! You ABSOLUTELY need to see the model before locking in any college basketball picks.

Who wins Florida Atlantic vs. Illinois, and which side of the spread is the better value? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the spread you should be all over, all from that's on a 98-61 roll on top-rated college basketball picks!