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USATSI

The LSU Tigers will look to continue their dominance against their early-season opponents on Monday when they take on the Illinois State Redbirds in the first round of the 2022 Cayman Islands Classic. The Tigers (3-0) have won each of their games by nine points or more, including a 91-62 triumph over New Orleans on Thursday. The Illinois State Redbirds (2-2) have been in four tight games with all being decided by five points or less. The Redbirds are coming off a home-and-home series against Northwestern State, winning 69-67 on the road on Nov. 12 before losing at home 70-67 on Thursday.

The game from John Gray Gymnasium in George Town, Grand Cayman, tips off at 11 a.m. ET. LSU averages 75.3 points per game, while Illinois State averages 64.5. The Tigers are 14-point favorites in the latest Illinois State vs. LSU odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 135. Before making any LSU vs. Illinois State picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. Over the past six years, the proprietary computer model has generated an impressive profit of more than $1,200 for $100 players on its top-rated college basketball picks against the spread. 

Now, the model has set its sights on LSU vs. Illinois State and just locked in its picks and CBB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the college basketball odds and betting lines for Illinois State vs. LSU:

  • Illinois State vs. LSU spread: LSU -14
  • Illinois State vs. LSU over/under: 135 points
  • Illinois State vs. LSU money line: Illinois State +800, LSU -1400
  • ISU: The Redbirds are 7-2 against the spread in their last nine games against a team with a winning % above .600
  • LSU: The under is 5-0 in the Tigers' last five games following a straight-up win of more than 20 points
  • Illinois State vs. LSU picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why LSU can cover 

Senior forward KJ Williams, a transfer from Murray State, averages 11.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He is connecting on 46.7% of his field goals, including 44.4% from 3-point range and 75% from the free throw line. He registered a double-double in his first game as a Tiger in a 74-63 win over Kansas City, scoring 13 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. He was the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year last season after a 31-3 year at Murray State, and led the OVC in scoring at 18 points per game. He played in 124 games at Murray State making 90 starts, including all 60 games the last two years.

Also helping power the Tigers is junior forward Mwani Wilkinson, a starter who is averaging five points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Wilkinson started 30 of 34 games a year ago for LSU, and has started 47 of 64 career games. He opened with nine points against Kansas City on Nov. 9, connecting on three of four 3-point attempts. His career high is 12 points achieved Nov. 30, 2020, against Southeastern Louisiana, when he made 40 of 51 field goals (78.4%) as a freshman. In three games this season, he is 5 of 9 from beyond the arc.

Why Illinois State can cover

Senior forward Kendall Lewis is the Redbirds' leading scorer. In 35.3 minutes, he is averaging 16 points, 12 rebounds, 1.5 steals, one assist and one block per game. He is connecting on 54.3% of his field goals and 77.4% of his free throws. He has two games of 20 or more points, including a season-high 24 points in a win at Northwestern State. He has had a double-double in three games, including a pair of games with 14 rebounds and one with 13.

Also averaging in double figures is junior guard Darius Burford. The transfer from Elon averages 10.8 points, three assists and 2.5 rebounds per game. He is connecting on 44.4% of his field goals and 88.9% of his free throws. In a home loss to Northwestern State, he scored 20 points, dished out five assists and grabbed four rebounds. He had 16 points in the win at Northwestern State with four assists.

How to make Illinois State vs. LSU picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 143 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can see the picks here.

So who wins LSU vs. Illinois State? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its college basketball picks, and find out.