The No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini (11-3, 2-1 Big Ten) will try to continue a three-game win streak when they host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (8-7, 1-3 Big Ten) at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at State Farm Center. The matchup airs on Big Ten Network.

How to watch Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Illinois Fighting Illini

• Venue: State Farm Center
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
• Streaming: Fubo (Stream now)
• TV: BTN
• Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub.

Rutgers vs. Illinois odds

• Spread: Illinois -22.5 (-104), Rutgers +22.5 (-117)
• Favorite Moneyline: Illinois -6667
• Underdog Moneyline: Rutgers +1867
• Total: 145.5
• Total Over Odds: -112
• Total Under Odds: -108

Odds provided by BetMGM.

Stats to know

• Illinois outscores opponents by 18.9 points per game (scoring 87.1 per game to rank 29th in college basketball while allowing 68.2 per contest to rank 65th in college basketball) and has a +265 scoring differential overall.
• Illinois hits 10.2 three-pointers per game (39th in college basketball) at a 34.7% rate (140th in college basketball), compared to the 7.9 per game its opponents make at a 31.1% rate.
• Rutgers has been outscored by 2.2 points per game (posting 70.3 points per game, 307th in college basketball, while conceding 72.5 per outing, 158th in college basketball) and has a -34 scoring differential.
• Rutgers hits 6.3 three-pointers per game (309th in college basketball) while shooting 32.0% from deep (264th in college basketball). It is making 1.8 fewer threes than its opponents, who drain 8.1 per game at 36.7%.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.