The payout odds should Illinois win the 2021 Big Ten Tournament will be better than $250 on a $100 bet.
Michigan is probably the Fighting Illini's biggest competition, but the favorites to win the Big 10 will be without their big star Eli Brooks. Did we mention that Illinois embarrassed the Wolverines 76-53 during the final week of the regular season.
Throw a dart at the top six teams and wherever it lands is a good pick to win the tournament, suggests Phil Simon of Gambling911.com. In other words, it's not all about Michigan.
Illinois could end up facing off against Rutgers, a team that came out of nowhere to play some solid basketball last season before Covid-19 destroyed it all. They don't look quite as impressive this year, but did manage to beat Illinois already back in December. It should be noted that the Fighting Illini went on to win 15 of their next 18 games. Illinois now ranks in the top-10 nationally in offensive and defensive efficiency.
Brian Fonseca of NJ.com should probably have a bias for Rutgers, but had this to offer concerning the Fighting Illini:
It has a National Player of the Year candidate in Ayo Dosunmu. It has arguably the best coach and deepest roster in the Big Ten. The Illini are not only Big Ten Tournament contenders; they are legitimate national title contenders.
It won’t be close, he added for good measure.
Odds to win BIG 10 Tournament
Michigan +205
Illinois +250
Iowa +434
Ohio State +685
Purdue +910
Michigan State +1250
Wisconsin +1550
Rutgers +2500
Maryland +6000
Indiana +7500
Penn State +13500
Minnesota +17500
Northwestern +25000
Nebraska +40000
- Tyrone Black, Gambling911.com
