Alabama vs. Illinois Odds, Preview, Picks, and Prediction for Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Use Code WWWC On Wednesday, the Alabama Crimson Tide will face the Illinois Fighting Illini in a key non-conference matchup between two of the nation's top college basketball teams. We have you ready to go with our Alabama vs. Illinois prediction, odds, and preview. Tip-off from the United Center in Chicago is at 9:00 p.m. ET.
The Illini are 3.5-point spread favorites, and the game total is 176.5 points scored.
11th-ranked Bama is 2-1 and 8th-ranked Illinois is 4-0 this season. In their most recent games, the Crimson Tide lost 87-80 to Purdue, failing to cover as three-point spread favorites, and the Fighting Illini defeated Colgate 84-65, failing to cover as 30.5-point favorites. These teams met last season in Birmingham, a game the Crimson Tide won 100-87. It was the first matchup between Alabama and Illinois since the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
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Alabama was overmatched on the boards last game
Alabama (2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS, and 1-2 O/U) beat North Dakota in its season opener and defeated St. John's at MSG in its second game. They couldn't sustain their momentum in West Lafayette, though. The Boilermakers outlasted the Crimson Tide with a dominant rebounding performance (+24 margin with 19 offensive rebounds), as the visitors struggled from three-point range (16-for-43). Bama scores 91.3 points per game (150th) on 47.8 percent shooting (117th), and its opponents average 82.0 points (213th) on 45.0 percent shooting (251st).
The Crimson Tide were picked to finish fourth in the SEC preseason poll. Star guard Mark Sears and star forward Grant Nelson must be replaced, but there are some significant pieces back, and the next group of playmakers is eager to take their places. Head coach Nate Oats (147-64 at Bama) welcomes back five players from last season's Elite Eight team, including 2025 All-SEC freshman selection Labaron Philon Jr. (19.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 1.3 SPG this season).
Junior guard Aden Holloway paces the Tide in scoring, averaging 21.0 points on 51.6 percent shooting, including 38.9 percent from deep. He also averages 3.5 assists per game. A few other Alabama stars to watch against Illinois are Florida State transfer forward Taylor Bol Bowen (12.7 PPG and 4.7 RPG), senior guard Latrell Wrightsell (11.5 PPG), and senior guard Houston Mallette (10.7 PPG and 5.0 RPG).
Alabama Crimson Tide Basketball Injury Report:
No significant injuries for Wednesday's NCAAB game versus Illinois.
Illinois will be in the mix to win the Big Ten this season
Illinois (4-0 SU, 2-1-1 ATS, and 2-2 O/U) rolled over Jackson State, Florida Gulf Coast, and Colgate, but got a serious test from Texas Tech last week. The Illini led by 13 at halftime, but the Red Raiders rallied in the second half, as the visitors had a shot to tie the game with only a few seconds left. TTU scored 52 points in the paint, but only attempted four free throws, while U of I knocked down 16.
The Fighting Illini were picked to finish fourth in the media's Big Ten preseason poll. Leading scorer Kasparas Jakucionis is gone (NBA), along with forward Will Riley (NBA), guard Tre White (Kansas), and Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan), but head coach Brad Underwood (169-101 record in Champaign) has a talented roster capable of scoring a ton of points. Illinois added several quality transfers and freshmen, but also returns three starters from last season's NCAA Tournament team.
Senior guard Kylan Boswell leads the Fighting Illini in scoring, averaging 18.5 points on 45.8 percent shooting, including 43.5 percent from long range. He also averages 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 dimes, and 1.3 steals. A few other Illinois stars to watch against Alabama are freshman forward David Mirkovic (18.5 PPG and 12.5 RPG), freshman guard Keaton Wagler (17.5 PPG and 6.5 RPG), and Cal transfer guard Andrej Stojakovic (13.7 PPG and 4.0 RPG).
Illinois Fighting Illini Basketball Injury Report:
Illinois has endured several injuries, most notably the knee injury sustained by junior big man Zvonimir Ivisic (13.0 PPG and 7.7 RPG last season), who scored 21 in the season opener but has missed the last three games. Ivisic, who has a bone bruise, could be available against Alabama and will be a game-time decision.
Alabama vs. Illinois Pick and Preview
Spread Pick for Alabama vs. Illinois
- Fighting Illini -3.5 (5 Units)
I like Illinois' side ATS in this highly anticipated non-conference game. Aside from having a pro-Illini crowd supporting them, they have several advantages that will allow them to pull out the win and cover the spread.
While Alabama is a high-scoring offensive machine, Illinois is too. The Illini scored 113 points in each of their first two games and broke the 80-point barrier against a sound Texas Tech defense. They shoot 36 percent from deep despite taking a lot of threes (top-50 in 3PT attempt rate) and shoot over 60 percent inside the arc. The Tide are also efficient from two-point range (63.6%), but they have been less effective from beyond the arc (33.3%). That's a red flag for an Oats-coached team, as he encourages a lot of three-pointers (4th-most 3PT attempts this season). Illinois is a big team with rim protectors and lengthy wings. Boswell is a pesky on-ball defender, and Illinois' other perimeter defenders are long enough to cause problems for Bama's guards.
Another red flag when considering Alabama's side is its recent performance on the glass against Purdue. They couldn't box out the Boilermakers on either end of the court, resulting in a massive discrepancy in the rebounding department. Illinois is also a great rebounding team, ranking first nationally in total rebounding rate, second in offensive rebounding rate, and seventh in defensive rebounding rate. Alabama ranks 191st, 266th, and 125th in those stats.
The Fighting Illini weren't as sharp in their last game against Colgate, but that was likely due to the game being sandwiched between key clashes against Texas Tech and Alabama. I expect them to play a more complete game on Wednesday in Chicago, earning a significant victory that will boost their strength of schedule. Bet on them to cover the 3.5-point spread.
Over/Under Pick for Alabama vs. Illinois
- Under 176.5 (4 Units)
The Illini should have a significant edge in the rebounding department, and their offensive rebounds will contribute to a slower pace, as they average 73.1 possessions (175th nationally), about five fewer than the Crimson Tide. The visitors will shoot a lot of threes, but they haven't hit a high enough percentage this season. Illinois' perimeter defense is solid (25.8% opponent 3PT%), and they won't give up many easy buckets at the rim, especially if the 7-foot-1 Ivisic returns to the court, joining his brother, 7-foot-2 junior Zvonimir, to patrol the paint.
The Fighting Illini didn't dominate in their last game, either. While it was a hangover game/lookahead spot, Boswell and Stojakovic combined for 20 points on 8-for-27 shooting from the floor. U of I shot 38 percent overall and was off the mark from deep (11-for-37), as the frosh Mirkovic and Wagler were efficient enough to make up for the upperclassmen's poor performances. That worked at home against Colgate, but it won't fly against Alabama.
While it shouldn't be a low-scoring affair, the game's 176.5-point total is high. Bet on the under!
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