By Jack Chambers for Wannamakeabet.com
The upcoming college basketball matchup between Long Island University (LIU) and the Illinois Fighting Illini is set for Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 2:00 PM UTC at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois enters the game as a significant favorite, with a spread of Illinois -34.5 and a total of 162.5 points.
Team Analysis
Long Island University
- Season Overview and Recent Form
The LIU Sharks have a 3-2 record this season. Their recent performance includes a 69-53 loss to Fordham, where they struggled offensively, shooting only 17 of 52 from the field and 1 of 15 from beyond the arc. Prior to that, they secured a 9-point victory over James Madison, scoring 88 points. Key contributors include Greg Gordon, averaging 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, and Jamal Fuller, adding 15.7 points per game. Defensively, the Sharks allow 79.8 points per game, indicating areas for improvement.
Illinois
- Season Overview and Recent Form
The Illinois Fighting Illini hold a 4-1 record, with their only loss being a close 90-86 defeat to Alabama. In that game, Andrej Stojakovic led with 26 points. Illinois boasts a high-scoring offense, averaging 95.4 points per game, and a strong rebounding presence, leading the Big Ten with 43.8 rebounds per game. Kylan Boswell leads the team with 19.2 points per game, while David Mirkovic contributes 16.8 points and 12.0 rebounds per game.
Key Matchup Factors
- Head-to-Head History
This will be the first regular-season matchup between LIU and Illinois, making it an intriguing encounter for both teams.
- Important Player Matchups
The battle between LIU’s backcourt duo of Greg Gordon and Jamal Fuller and Illinois’ frontcourt strength, particularly David Mirkovic and Kylan Boswell, will be pivotal. Gordon and Fuller will need to exploit Illinois’ defensive gaps, while Mirkovic and Boswell aim to dominate the paint.
- Key Injuries and News
As of now, there are no significant injury reports for either team. Both squads are expected to be at full strength for this matchup.
- Home/Away Performance
Illinois has a strong home record, winning all four home games this season. In contrast, LIU has a 2-2 record on the road, indicating potential challenges in hostile environments.
Betting Analysis
- Spread Analysis
Illinois is favored by 34.5 points, reflecting their superior performance and home-court advantage. Given their high-scoring offense and LIU’s defensive vulnerabilities, covering this spread is plausible.
- Total (Over/Under) Analysis
The total is set at 162.5 points. Considering Illinois’ offensive prowess and LIU’s tendency to engage in high-scoring games, the over appears to be a reasonable bet.
- Best Value Opportunities
Betting on Illinois to cover the spread and the over on total points offers promising value, given the teams’ respective strengths and weaknesses.
- Prediction
Illinois is expected to win decisively, with a projected final score of 96-74. Their offensive firepower and rebounding dominance should overwhelm LIU’s defense.
- Final Pick
Illinois to cover the spread and the over on total points. For bettors seeking value, focusing on Illinois’ strong home performance and high-scoring games this season is advisable.
For more detailed analysis and betting insights, visit .
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