Gambling on college basketball in Illinois is permitted for individuals who are 21 years of age or older.

In Illinois, college basketball bettors have a variety of options to choose from, such as futures, parlays, brackets, moneyline bets, point spreads, and totals. Online sportsbooks and apps also allow for live betting.

When betting on NCAA games, it is crucial to remember that Illinois law prohibits mobile wagers on state-based teams. However, the passage of HB 3136 now allows betting on Illinois college teams at physical sportsbook locations.

March Madness is well underway, but unfortunately, there are no Illinois teams left in the tournament. Both Illinois and Loyola Chicago were knocked out during the opening weekend.

To help you begin your journey into NCAA sports betting, we have put together a comprehensive guide for betting on college basketball. This guide includes all the basics such as different types of bets and how to interpret odds.

Live NCAA Basketball Odds at Illinois Online Sportsbooks

Here is an up-to-date look at live college basketball odds on Illinois online sportsbooks. The first tab shows point spreads, moneylines, and totals for upcoming games, while the second tab displays futures odds for the National Championship, Final Four, and Conference titles. For a full NCAAB odds board, visit our live sports betting odds feed. Click on any odds to go directly to the online sportsbook, claim your bonus, and begin placing your NCAAB bets.

2022 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball

College basketball is extremely popular in the United States, and now dedicated fans in Illinois can place bets on March Madness instead of taking part in the traditional office pool bracket.

There are currently 32 conferences consisting of 351 teams nationwide that are available for support. The basketball season typically starts in late November, with most teams aiming to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

The highly anticipated national championship tournament, known as March Madness or “the big dance”, will commence with a selection show on Sunday, March 13, 2022, followed by the single-elimination tournament. The pinnacle of this thrilling winner-takes-all competition will be the national championship on April 4, 2022.

Every year, it seems that at least one team from Illinois makes it to the tournament. In 2021, Loyola and Illinois were the most recent additions to the men’s bracket. However, it is always uncertain which team will surprise and earn a spot in the selection committee’s eyes each season.

Is it Legal to Bet on College Basketball in Illinois?

In 2020, Illinois legalized sports betting with the passing of the Sports Wagering Act. Initially, the law did not allow bets on Illinois college teams, but this restriction was lifted in December 2021.

The basic rules for sports betting in Illinois are as follows:

• In order to place a bet, including through a sportsbook app, you must be at least 21 years old and physically present within the state’s borders.
• All bets must be made at a legal and regulated sportsbook, with oversight and licensing handled by the Illinois Gaming Board.

The main restriction for NCAA basketball is online betting on state teams, but with the passing of HB 3136, wagering on Illinois universities is now allowed at brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.

Illinois has more lenient sports betting laws compared to other states. For example, in states such as New Jersey, Virginia, and Washington, DC, it is not allowed to bet on college events within their borders. However, during the Big Ten Tournament in Illinois, sports bettors can still place wagers on games using their mobile devices, as long as the bet does not involve an Illinois team.

Illinois sportsbooks offer sports bettors the chance to place bets on any NCAA basketball team with a wide variety of odds to choose from.

How to Bet on College Basketball in Illinois

Chances are, you have already taken part in some kind of betting involving college basketball. Even those who aren’t big sports fans may join an office pool during March Madness. With the legalization of sports betting in Illinois and the launch of sportsbooks, there are now numerous betting options available beyond simply filling out a bracket.

Having prior betting experience is advantageous when it comes to wagering on NCAA basketball. Betting on college basketball is similar to betting on any other sport, with the same basic principles applying. There is nothing particularly unique about betting on college basketball compared to other sports.

Let’s start by examining the five most common types of bets you’ll come across when betting on college basketball.

Moneyline

This type of bet is the simplest and most common in betting. Bookmakers assess a match between two teams and predict the winner. The favored team is given a negative number, while the underdog is given a positive number. For example:

Michigan State -110

Iowa State +225

Michigan State is clearly the favored team with a negative number on the moneyline. To win $100 from a successful bet on the Spartans, you would need to wager $110. If you win, you would receive $210 total, which includes your initial bet and a $100 profit.

On the other hand, if you were to bet $100 on Iowa State and they pull off an upset, you would receive a total of $325 in return. This consists of your initial $100 bet as well as a $225 profit.

Point spread

While slightly more complicated than a moneyline bet, understanding the spread is still relatively simple. When checking a sportsbook, you will see the spread odds listed along with the teams playing, the date and time of the game, and various betting options. The point spread is determined by oddsmakers who determine the favorite team and project a margin of victory.

You have the option to decide if you think the favorite will win by more than the specified spread. If they do, this is known as ‘covering the spread’, and a bet on the favorite would be a win. However, if the favorite wins by a smaller margin or loses, then a bet on them would result in a loss. In this case, a bet on the underdog would be successful. Here is an example to clarify:

Villanova -6.5 (-110)

Temple +6.5 (-110)

According to the book’s prediction, Villanova is expected to win the game by more than 6.5 points. If you decide to bet $110 on Villanova based on your research, you could potentially make a $100 profit. However, if Villanova only wins by three points, you would lose your bet. On the other hand, if you bet on Temple to win, they must either lose by less than 6.5 points or win the game outright.

Totals

You may have heard of a totals bet, also known as the over/under. This type of betting involves sportsbooks predicting a total score for a game and gives you the opportunity to bet on whether you think the combined score of both teams will be higher or lower than that predicted total.

Therefore, the focus should not be on the winner of the game, but rather on the total final score. Let’s use a hypothetical matchup between Wisconsin and Marquette as an example.

Over: 135.5 (-110)

Under: 135.5 (-110)

If you bet on this game and pick the over, you would win if the final score is 75-67. But if the final score is 67-60, you would lose.

Just like the point spread, the line is often set with a half-point to avoid a tie. This can result in a “push” where all bets are refunded.

Parlays

Parlays involve combining multiple wagers onto one slip to increase the potential payout if all selections are correct. However, the more bets added, the higher the risk, so it is important to find a balance between potential reward and risk.

You can choose to place a parlay bet using the single bet types mentioned earlier, but remember that all of your selections must be correct in order to win. If any of your selections are wrong, you will lose the bet.

Live betting

Known as in-game betting, this type of wagering allows you to bet on NCAA basketball games as they happen. Throughout the live game, odds for various aspects like quarter totals and player props in college football are constantly updating, giving you the opportunity to place bets at any point during the match.

Live betting is primarily offered on online sports betting platforms and apps, allowing for instant odds adjustments as the game progresses.

NCAA basketball futures and props

Do you feel sure about picking the national champion before March Madness begins? Are you confident in guessing the over/under on a team’s wins or predicting the coach of the year? Sportsbooks are offering a glimpse into what the future could hold.

If you are interested in betting on future events, consider exploring the college basketball futures market. This market opens during the offseason and continues throughout the season, with betting lines adjusting based on team performance. As teams excel against tough competition, the March Madness odds may shift to reflect their success.

Proposition bets, commonly referred to as props, are wagers made on specific individuals or events that do not directly impact the final result of the game. An example of a prop bet would be predicting whether the final score will be an odd or even number.

NCAA Regular Season, Conference Tournaments and March Madness

The college basketball season is split into three parts. The first is the regular season, where teams compete for the best record and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The conference tournament is the second phase, with the winner earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The rest of the teams are selected separately. The season ends with the NCAA Tournament, known as March Madness.

• During the regular season, Division I teams typically play around 25 to 30 matches, starting in late November and ending in early March. Teams’ performance and records during this time determine their seeding in the conference tournament and can also help secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament if they don’t win their conference tournament.
• Conference Tournaments: After the regular season, all 32 conferences host tournaments to determine their champions. Typically held in early March, the winners of these tournaments earn automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament.
• As March approaches, the NCAA Tournament frenzy is about to begin. It all starts with Selection Sunday, when the selection committee announces the teams that have earned a spot in the tournament, including conference tournament champions and at-large selections. The tournament takes place over a few weeks, providing a prime opportunity to explore various betting options and engage in live NCAA basketball wagering.

How to Watch NCAA Basketball in IL

There are many ways to watch NCAA men’s basketball in Illinois throughout the regular season.

You have access to a variety of cable and network channels, such as ESPN, ESPNU, ESPN2, FS1, Fox, CBS Sports, and CBS. You can also watch channels like the Big Ten Network that focus on specific conference teams.

Games during the NCAA Tournament will be televised on CBS, TNT, TBS, and TruTV. If you don’t have access to these channels, don’t worry – sports bars throughout the state will be airing the games and you can also watch online.

Additionally, you have the option to access CBSSports.com or download the March Madness app on your iOS or Android device in order to stay updated.

Illinois NCAA Basketball Teams

Illinois is home to several colleges with basketball programs, providing local fans with a variety of teams to support at the Division I level. Here is a summary of the schools competing in the state.

• Illinois Fighting Illini’s odds: The Fighting Illini have been gaining attention lately, especially after a successful streak in the 2019-20 season that earned them a national ranking. Their future looks bright.
• The DePaul Blue Demons have had varying levels of performance in the past, but they showed strength in the 2019-20 season. This success could potentially lead to further improvement in the future.
• The Loyola Ramblers are consistently competitive and often regarded as Illinois’ top team. They also have a impressive track record in the NCAA Tournament.
• Bradley: The Braves showed resilience after a slow start in the 2019 season, demonstrating the strength of both the team and their coaches.
• The Northwestern Wildcats face tough competition in the Big Ten when it comes to basketball, often struggling to keep up with the conference’s top teams. Despite this, they have shown moments of strong play and impressive performances.
• The Northern Illinois Huskies had a 17-17 season in 2019-20. They had a noteworthy run in the MAC Tournament, pulling off an upset against Toledo before falling in the semifinals.
• The dedicated fan base of the UIC Flames believes that the program has the potential to achieve more victories than it currently has.
• The Salukis of Southern Illinois did not meet expectations in the 2019-20 season, as evidenced by their performance against their opponents. Despite their record, the team’s true abilities were greater than what was shown.
• The Illinois State Redbirds have been making waves in the Missouri Valley Conference and are determined to keep shaking things up.
• SIU-Edwardsville’s Cougars finished the 2019-20 season with a record of 8-23, with only three seniors on the team. The hope is that the returning players’ experience will lead to improved results in the upcoming season.
• The Eastern Illinois Panthers had a somewhat underwhelming season last year, competing in the Ohio Valley Conference which is considered less competitive. While they are capable of securing wins, their performance against tougher teams tends to be inconsistent.
• Western Illinois is a team that often leaves fans scratching their heads. Despite having a talented roster and competent coaching staff, they struggle to secure wins on a consistent basis. Their last notable period of success came during the 2012-13 season.
• The Chicago State Cougars faced difficulties during the 2019 season, which was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. The team struggled with a disappointing 3-29 record.

Tips for Betting on College Basketball

If you are ready to start betting on NCAA basketball games, it is important to develop a solid betting strategy. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect at first, as your approach should improve and evolve as you gain more experience with betting.

For newcomers to sports betting in Illinois, we have put together a collection of college basketball betting tips.

• Don’t specialize too much: With 351 Division I college basketball teams across the country, it’s overwhelming to try and keep up with all of them. Instead, focus on just one, two, or three teams and become an expert on them. Use your research to make informed betting decisions.
• Become a basketball fan by watching games, learning the mechanics of the sport, and studying the tactics used by coaches. Watch how teams handle both leading and trailing situations. Being a fan is the best way to gain knowledge about basketball.
• Make smart financial decisions: While it may be tempting to buy information and data for convenience, remember that most paid sources can be found for free online. Use reliable sources like ESPN and CBS Sports, and follow basketball Twitter accounts for a variety of information. By gathering information from a variety of sources, you’ll see that free information is just as valuable.
• Knowing your team’s history is important. Are they consistent against conference rivals? Do they excel against nationally-ranked teams? Understanding their past performance can help you identify betting opportunities that bookmakers might overlook.
• Monitor the Flow of Money: Stay informed about any major changes in the betting lines for college basketball games you plan to bet on. Investigate the reasons behind these shifts, such as player injuries or team news, to make informed decisions. Take advantage of betting opportunities that arise from line movements by keeping a close eye on multiple sportsbooks to maximize your potential winnings.

Further reading: Recognizing Upsets in the March Madness Tournament

College Basketball National Champions from Illinois

Fans of college basketball in Illinois may be shocked to learn that at one point, a team from the Land of Lincoln actually won the national championship trophy.

In 1963, Loyola, led by coach George Ireland, claimed the NCAA Tournament championship by defeating Cincinnati in a thrilling overtime game in Louisville, KY. The Ramblers ultimately emerged victorious with a 60-58 score, securing the national title.

The Illinois Fighting Illini had already won two national titles before the establishment of the big dance. In 1915, they were recognized as national champions by the Helms Athletic Foundation with a perfect 16-0 record under the coaching of Ralph Jones.

In 1943, nearly 30 years later, Illinois, led by coach Douglas Mills, finished the season with a remarkable 17-1 record. The team was crowned national champions by the Premo-Porretta Power Poll.