The 12th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini will face a stiff test when they take on the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 6,846-seat Rec Hall in University Park, Pa., on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. ET. Illinois is a 7.5-point favorite in the latest Illinois vs. Penn State odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 156 (see up-to-date odds for every game this week on our college basketball odds page). 

Before making any Illinois vs. Penn State 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 16 of the 2023-24 season on a 136-89 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $2,500 for $100 players. It is also off to a sizzling 25-13 start on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen HUGE returns!

The model knows fifth-year senior guard Terrence Shannon Jr. has been on a roll the past three games, including two on the road. In an 88-80 loss at Michigan State on Feb. 10, he poured in 28 points, while adding seven rebounds. He scored 31 points, dished out three assists and grabbed three boards in a 97-68 win over Michigan on Tuesday, while adding 27 points and four blocks in an 85-80 win at Maryland on Saturday.

The model also knows with leading scorer Kanye Clary dismissed from the team, look for senior guard Ace Baldwin Jr. to take over some of the scoring duties. Baldwin scored 10 points, made five steals and grabbed three rebounds in Saturday's loss at Nebraska. He is in his first season with the team after playing three years at VCU. In 26 games, including 24 starts, Baldwin is averaging 14 points, 5.3 assists and 2.2 rebounds in 34.9 minutes of action.

Now, the model has set its sights on Illinois vs. Penn State. We can tell you the model is leaning Under on the point total, and it also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations! 

Who wins Illinois vs. Penn State, and which side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the spread you should be all over, all from that's on a 25-13 roll on top-rated college basketball spread picks!