Illinois vs. Chattanooga odds, line, spread: 2022 NCAA Tournament picks, prediction from proven computer model

The No. 13 seed Chattanooga Mocs take on No. 4 seed Illinois in first-round South Region action in the 2022 NCAA Tournament on Friday night at 6:45 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh. Caesars Sportsbook lists the Fighting Illini as eight-point favorites, while the Over-Under for total points is set at 136.5 (see up-to-date odds for every game this week on our college basketball odds page). 

Before making any Illinois vs. Chattanooga picks, you NEED to check out the college basketball predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated an impressive profit of almost $1,500 for $100 players on its top-rated college basketball picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen HUGE returns.

The model has factored in that Chattanooga has one of the nation's best mid-major players in Malachi Smith. The guard averages 20.1 points and 6.7 rebounds. He's hitting 41.5 percent from 3-point range. The Mocs appear to have the clutch gene after David-Jean Baptiste nailed a game-winning 3-pointer to beat Furman in overtime of the SoCon Tournament championship game. 

The model also has considered that the Illini have one of the nation's top big men in Kofi Cockburn. He averages 21.1 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, ranking inside the top 15 nationally in both categories. The Illini played the far tougher schedule and might have the size and athleticism to pick up a win and cover in this one. 

Now, the model has set its sights on Illinois vs. Chattanooga. We can tell you the model is leaning Over the total, and it also says one side of the spread hits in over 50 percent of simulations! You ABSOLUTELY need to see it before locking in any college basketball picks.

Who wins Illinois vs. Chattanooga? And which side of the spread hits in over 50 percent of simulations? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the Chattanooga vs. Illinois spread you should be all over Thursday, all from the model on a roll on college basketball picks!