The same applies to futures odds for events such as the men’s Big Ten championship and Final Four. To view and place bets on these odds, you will need to visit a physical sportsbook. This restriction may be lifted in the future, as it has already been amended once before.

The rationale for this limitation is to add an additional safeguard against risks to fair competition. Yet, there is minimal evidence supporting the notion that mandating individuals to make these wagers in person effectively deters the exploitation of insider knowledge or efforts to manipulate outcomes in a controlled environment.

Indeed, you can place bets on college basketball games for all Division I schools except those in Illinois.

How to Bet on the Illini in Illinois

While online betting may be convenient, physical sportsbooks are still thriving due to the unique experience they offer that cannot be replicated by phone apps. Customers are drawn to retail sportsbooks for elements such as:

• Ability to watch games while placing bets.
• Beverage and food service
• Opportunity to socialize
• Proximity to other forms of gambling
• Special events with prizes
• VIP accommodations

With brick-and-mortar sportsbooks being the only legal option to bet on in-state college teams without crossing state lines, Illinois residents can expect top-notch service when it comes to placing bets on Illini men’s basketball, especially during March Madness. Many locals will have convenient access to these sportsbooks.

Online Sportsbook	Casino/OTB
PointsBet	Hawthorne Race Course
BetRivers	Rivers Casino
PointsBet	Club Hawthorne Crestwood
PointsBet	Player’s Pub & Grill
Caesars	Grand Victoria Casino
Barstool	Hollywood Aurora
FanDuel	FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing
DraftKings	DraftKings at Casino Queen
BetMGM	Par-A-Dice Casino

Before visiting a retail sportsbook, make sure to check with the specific location regarding their policies on face masks and vaccinations as they are subject to local and state government regulations as well as those of casino operators. It is important to be aware of the current guidelines in place before you go.

Ways to Bet on Illini Men’s Basketball

The three most common markets you will find at brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in IL for individual games are moneylines, point spreads, and point totals. These markets remain consistent regardless of the timing of the game, whether it be a regular-season matchup, conference tournament, or March Madness game.

Illinois moneyline bets

Betting on an Illini game is as easy as predicting the winner between Illinois and their opponent. For instance, you can simply bet on who will win a specific game.

Team	Odds to win
Texas-Rio Grande Valley	+350
Illinois	-475

If you think the Illini will win, bet on the short odds. But if your model predicts Texas-RGV will cause an upset, bet on the potentially higher payout. In these markets, the outcome of the game is the only thing that counts.

Illinois point spread bets

This concept expands on the moneyline by requiring you to not only choose a winning team, but also predict the margin of victory for the winning team. You are allowed some flexibility in your prediction, as you do not have to select the exact winner. Here is another illustration from the same game:

Team	Spread	Odds
Texas-Rio Grande Valley	+9.5	-110
Illinois	-9.5	-110

In this scenario, you have the choice to bet on the Illini to win by a margin of at least 10 points. If they do not meet this specific requirement, your bet will be considered a loss by the sportsbook, even if they win the game by a smaller margin.

Alternatively, you can bet on Texas-RGV to ensure you don’t lose by 10 points or more. If Illinois doesn’t win by 10 points or more, your bet will be considered a win by the sportsbook. This outcome remains the same whether Texas-RGV wins the game by any amount or loses by less than 10 points.

Illinois point total bets

A popular alternative is to eliminate the need to predict the winning team or margin of victory in your bet. Instead, you can simply wager on whether the sportsbook has set the total points for a game too high or too low.

It is crucial to keep in mind that the total refers to the sum of points scored by both teams in the game, not just one of the teams. Another illustration demonstrates the appearance of these markets.

Bet	Total	Odds
Over	153.5	-110
Under	153.5	-110

It’s easy to understand. If you believe the sportsbook’s total is too low, you would bet the Over. If you believe it’s too high, you would bet the Under. You may be curious about the .5 point in spreads and totals. This is known as a “hook” and is used to prevent ties in sports bets, as it is not possible to score half a point in basketball.

While it is a common occurrence, it is not always implemented in these lines. It is also typical to observe identical odds on both sides of spreads and totals markets. However, you cannot wager on both sides of these markets, thus you must still choose a side to bet on.

Illinois prop bets

The range and quantity of markets can differ widely depending on the operator and the specific game being played. This is determined by the bookmakers’ willingness to provide these options. Some common examples include:

• Please apply during the second half only.
• Illini’s first half total.
• Will there be overtime? (Yes/No)

Illinois future bets

If you’re not interested in betting on individual games, there are alternative ways to place bets on the Illini. You can wager on Illinois to achieve specific season-long or postseason goals, known as futures. Some examples of these markets include:

• Champion of the Big Ten Men’s Tournament Conference
• Is Illinois eligible for March Madness? Yes or No
• The total number of regular season wins for the Illini.

Illinois NBA Draft Picks

Although no player from Illinois has been chosen as the top overall pick in an NBA Draft, there have been several former Illini selected in various slots over the years. Ayo Dosunmu was drafted 38th overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2021, and Meyers Leonard was selected 11th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2012.

Deron Williams was the highest Illini player selected in the NBA Draft when he was chosen as the third overall pick by the Utah Jazz in 2005.

Can I bet on the NBA Draft in Illinois?

You are able to do so. Additionally, you can also do it online. Illinois sportsbook apps provide a range of propositions for the event, such as predicting which player will be drafted first overall, which team will select specific players, and speculating on whether there will be any trades.

About Illinois Home Stadium

How to listen to Illinois men’s basketball games

Illinois games are broadcast live on over 40 radio affiliates in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. Internet radio listeners can stream audio feeds on platforms such as iHeart Radio, TuneIn, and SiriusXM. To find Illinois feeds, users should utilize the search function on these services.

How to watch Illinois men’s basketball games

Illinois fans can catch live broadcasts of their games on the Big Ten Network. To find out if their cable, live TV streaming, or satellite service includes the BTN, they can check here for the channel information. The BTN keeps its broadcast schedule updated regularly.

Certain games may be broadcast on ESPN or Fox stations. Additionally, some games could be streamed on BTN+, the separate subscription service of the Big Ten Network.

Best Places to Watch Illinois Men’s Basketball in Chicago

If you’re unable to attend a game in Champaign but still want to experience the atmosphere of being among fellow Illini fans in Illinois’ largest city, there are several places that can fulfill that desire. Here are some top options to consider.

Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern

• The address is 3647 N. Clark St. in Chicago.

This Wrigleyville hotspot is all about hosting events. Located right next to Wrigley Field, it’s not just busy during baseball season. With two outdoor terraces, the tavern offers specials for Illini games. Some popular menu items are fish tacos, sweet potato tots, and a homerun nachos platter. They also have a weekend brunch available for early Illini games.

Joe’s Bar

• The address is 940 W. Weed St. in Chicago.

With over 120 high-definition televisions, this venue guarantees you won’t miss a minute of the Illini game on select nights. The full bar, fittingly named, offers game night specials. Don’t forget about the delicious food menu featuring fried cheese curds, smoked wings, and buffalo chicken egg rolls to keep you satisfied during the game.

Parlay at Joy District

• 112 W Hubbard St

The River North District of Chicago makes a strong entrance with this parlor, featuring a 200-inch projection screen and a menu offering piri-piri chicken wings, avocado crab toast, and chickpea fries. Craft beers and ciders are also a big draw for Illini fans on game nights, especially with the rooftop providing prime viewing opportunities.

How Did Illini Men’s Basketball Do in 2020-21?

During the 2020-21 season, the Illini achieved a record of 24-7 and secured the second spot in the final Associated Press Poll. They concluded their Big Ten play with a strong 16-4 record, narrowly missing out on the top seed in the conference tournament but ultimately emerging as the champions of the tournament.

They were the top seed in the Midwest region of the NCAA Tournament and emerged victorious in their first-round game against Drexel, but were ultimately defeated by Loyola Chicago in the second round.

Ayo Dosunmu was the team’s top scorer, averaging 20.1 points and 5.3 assists per game. Kofi Cockburn dominated the boards with 9.5 rebounds per game, in addition to his 17.7 points per game. Trent Frazier also contributed double-digit scoring, averaging 10.2 points per game.

The Last Time the Fighting Illini Men’s Team …

• On November 15, 2021, ranked as the 10th position.
• Made it to the Final Four Game in 2005
• Has never been a National Champion.
• In 2005, we clinched the Big Ten Regular Season title, and in 2021, we emerged victorious in the Big Ten Conference Tournament.
• Toppling a Top-Five Team: They secured a victory over the second-ranked Michigan on March 2, 2021, with a dominating score of 76-53.

Illinois Men’s Basketball Notable Coaches

Lou Henson, for whom the court is named, is arguably the most renowned men’s basketball coach in Illinois history. He led the Illini to a Final Four appearance, one of only two coaches to do so, and during his 21-year tenure from 1976 to 1996, the team made 12 March Madness appearances. Notably, the Illini qualified for eight consecutive years under his leadership. While Henson stands out, other coaches have also left their mark on the program.

• Harry Combes coached the Illini men’s basketball team from 1948 to 1967, leading the team in 647 games with a cumulative winning percentage of .678. This ranks him among the top five Illini coaches with at least 100 games. Combes was the first coach to lead the Illini to a Final Four, achieving this three times during his time in Champaign.
• During his tenure with the Illinois men’s basketball team from 1913 to 1920, Ralph Jones made significant contributions to the sport in Illinois. He led his teams to conference championships in two different leagues, at a time when the Big Ten was being established. Jones finished with a remarkable record of 85 wins and 34 losses during his time with the Illini.
• Bill Self’s time in Champaign was short-lived, lasting only three seasons. However, his teams had an impressive 78-24 record, consistently ranking high in the AP poll and never finishing with a Big Ten record below 11-5.
• Bruce Weber coached the Illinois men’s basketball team from 2004 to 2012, achieving a winning percentage of .675. He is the only coach in the team’s history to lead them to the national championship game, which they reached in the 2004-05 season. Throughout his tenure, the team made it to the tournament in all but three seasons.

Illinois Men’s Basketball Through the Years

With nearly 120 years of history in men’s basketball, Illinois is one of the founding members of the Western Conference and later the Big Ten. Their inaugural season in 1905-06 saw the Illini secure six victories out of 14 games. The most successful year in the early 1900s was 1907-08, with Illinois winning 20 out of 26 games.

During the first World War decade, the Big Ten was formed and Illinois had multiple successful years, such as the undefeated 1914-15 season. The Illini achieved double-digit wins in three additional years throughout the second decade of the 1900s.

Illinois experienced varying levels of success in the 1920s and 1930s, with the 1940s marking the creation of the first NCAA D1 men’s tournament. The Illini qualified for this tournament for the first time in the 1941-42 season.

In the 1950s, Harry Combes led Illinois to national prominence by taking them to three Final Fours in four years. Throughout the 1960s, Illinois attempted to replicate that success with various coaches until Lou Henson took over in the mid-1970s.

During Henson’s tenure, the Illini became a regular presence in the tournament and made it to another Final Four in the 1980s and 1990s. As the new millennium began, Bill Self took over in Champaign, solidifying the program as a top choice for high-profile coaches.

After building upon Self’s success, Bruce Weber led the program to its first and only national championship game in men’s basketball in 2005. However, the Illini have faced challenges in replicating that success since Weber’s departure in 2011-12. Current coach Brad Underwood appears to be turning things around, guiding the Illini back to March Madness and securing a top seed in 2020-21.

Fighting Illini Historic Facts

• All-Time Record: 1,835-1,032
• NCAA Tournament Record: 41-32
• National Titles: Zero
• Conference Titles: 17 Regular Season, 3 Tournament
• Consensus All-Americans: 16
• Deon Thomas was the top scorer with 2,129 points from 1990-91 to 1993-94.
• From 2002-03 to 2005-06, James Augustine led in rebounding with a total of 1,023 rebounds.