Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction, College Basketball Predictions, November 13, 2026
Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction, College Basketball Predictions, November 13, 2026
Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction: records, recent results, team stats and our winner pick.
Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction: quick answers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who is the pick? | Illinois Fighting Illini to win |
| Game date | November 13, 2026 |
| Tipoff | Nov 13, 7:00 PM ET / Nov 13, 5:00 PM MT |
| Venue | State Farm Center |
| Game setting | Illinois Fighting Illini at home |
| Type of prediction | Outright winner only |
| Research checked | November 12, 2026 |
Our Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction favors Illinois Fighting Illini. The main reason is the combination of its preseason profile, current roster and matchup setting. This is an early-season preview, so the distinction between last year’s production and this year’s personnel matters. The 2025–26 results below provide a baseline, while the 2026–27 roster information helps identify the people available to carry the plan into a new season.
The central question in Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction is whether Illinois Fighting Illini can create useful possessions without giving Sam Houston Bearkats extra chances. A game can turn on the quality of its first shot, but it can also turn on the possessions that never produce a shot at all. Turnovers, offensive rebounds and unnecessary fouls are therefore part of the winner assessment, alongside the more familiar shooting numbers.
The market format is straightforward: select the team expected to win, with no required winning margin. Our college basketball betting guide explains the basic choices. You can find the matchup at YouWager; this preview does not claim that a specific price is available or attach the selection to an invented line.
Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction: recent head-to-head history
No completed meeting between Sam Houston Bearkats and Illinois Fighting Illini appears in the checked 2024–25 and 2025–26 national schedules. That means there is no score from that window to use as a direct recent comparison. It does not mean the programs have never met. For this early-season game, the better evidence is the current setting and the verified team information.
Our Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction gives current personnel more weight than a result produced by a different lineup. The familiar categories in basketball still provide the framework—shooting, possession, rebounding and foul management—but the people executing those tasks can change sharply from one November to the next. A historical win is useful context rather than a substitute for that comparison.
Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction: trends to read correctly
Current season results
Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction: Sam Houston Bearkats this season
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 11, 2026 | Pepperdine Waves | Home | Win | 85–77 |
| Nov 07, 2026 | Howard Payne Yellow Jackets | Home | Win | 102–59 |
| Nov 03, 2026 | Alabama Crimson Tide | Away | Loss | 74–96 |
For Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction, Sam Houston Bearkats went 2-1 in the completed games listed here. Read the opponents and venues before treating that small sample as a trend.
Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction: Illinois Fighting Illini this season
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 10, 2026 | Texas Tech Red Raiders | Away | Loss | 78–84 |
| Nov 05, 2026 | Pennsylvania Quakers | Home | Win | 112–70 |
| Nov 02, 2026 | Fairleigh Dickinson Knights | Home | Win | 120–45 |
For Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction, Illinois Fighting Illini went 2-1 in the completed games listed here. Read the opponents and venues before treating that small sample as a trend.
Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction: fixed betting odds
| Market | Selection | Line | American price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Sam Houston Bearkats | — | N/A |
| Moneyline | Illinois Fighting Illini | — | N/A |
| Spread | Sam Houston Bearkats | 36.5 | -108 |
| Spread | Illinois Fighting Illini | -36.5 | -112 |
| Total | Over | 172.5 | -105 |
| Total | Under | 172.5 | -115 |
For Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction, the fixed figures are a comparison snapshot, not confirmed YouWager prices. N/A means a price or line wasn’t verified. The winner pick still stands on the matchup evidence below.
For Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction, the checked 2025–26 results for Sam Houston Bearkats show 22-12 overall in 34 recorded games, 13-1 in the listed home games and 6-10 in the listed away games. There were 7 games decided by five points or fewer, with 5 wins in that group. These are straight-up results from the stated coverage, not an against-the-spread record. They describe the past schedule rather than a current 2026–27 winning streak.
For Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction, the checked 2025–26 results for Illinois Fighting Illini show 28-9 overall in 37 recorded games, 14-3 in the listed home games and 8-2 in the listed away games. There were 7 games decided by five points or fewer, with 1 wins in that group. These are straight-up results from the stated coverage, not an against-the-spread record. They describe the past schedule rather than a current 2026–27 winning streak.
Those trends need context because a short sequence is sensitive to the opponents and venues in it. The statistical idea of sample variability is useful here. A hot shooting night against one opponent should not automatically become an expectation against another. Our handicapping guide provides a broader way to organize the evidence without confusing a descriptive trend with a guarantee.
Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction: the statistical baseline
| Previous-season measure | Sam Houston Bearkats | Illinois Fighting Illini |
|---|---|---|
| Checked 2025–26 games | 34 | 37 |
| Record in those games | 22-12 | 28-9 |
| Points per game in those results | 82.3 | 83.2 |
| Points allowed per game in those results | 75.1 | 68.8 |
| Regular-season stat-feed games | 33.0 | 32.0 |
| Field-goal percentage | 46.4 | 46.3 |
| Three-point percentage | 36.7 | 34.7 |
| Free-throw percentage | 72.2 | 78.9 |
| Rebounds per game | 40.7 | 40.7 |
| Offensive rebounds per game | 13.8 | 13.2 |
| Assists per game | 15.3 | 14.7 |
| Turnovers per game | 11.8 | 8.9 |
| Steals per game | 7.2 | 3.8 |
| Blocks per game | 2.8 | 4.6 |
The table supports Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction by keeping the results record separate from the statistical feed. The results can include postseason games; the shooting and possession figures are from the 2025–26 regular-season feed. Where the national feed contains only a small subset for a smaller program, it is not presented as a complete season split. None of these numbers is described as a new-season average. The current game listing can be checked through the matchup schedule.
Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction: Sam Houston Bearkats last 10 games
| Date | Site | Opponent | W/L | Team score–opponent score | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 11, 2026 | Home | Pepperdine Waves | W | 85-77 | 2026–27 |
| Nov 07, 2026 | Home | Howard Payne Yellow Jackets | W | 102-59 | 2026–27 |
| Nov 03, 2026 | Away | Alabama Crimson Tide | L | 74-96 | 2026–27 |
| Mar 18, 2026 | Away | New Mexico Lobos | L | 83-107 | 2025–26 |
| Mar 13, 2026 | Neutral | Kennesaw State Owls | L | 73-79 | 2025–26 |
| Mar 11, 2026 | Neutral | New Mexico State Aggies | W | 69-61 | 2025–26 |
| Mar 07, 2026 | Away | Liberty Flames | L | 72-79 | 2025–26 |
| Mar 05, 2026 | Away | Delaware Blue Hens | L | 80-83 | 2025–26 |
| Feb 28, 2026 | Home | Missouri State Bears | W | 86-81 | 2025–26 |
| Feb 26, 2026 | Home | Florida International Panthers | W | 100-67 | 2025–26 |
The results window for Sam Houston Bearkats contains 10 verified games, with a 5-5 record, 82.4 points scored and 78.9 allowed per game. For Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction, these are historical completed results, not ten games already played in the new season. The season column identifies the relevant campaign. A strong finish can provide useful background, while the new roster still has to establish its own form.
The newest listed result was a win against Pepperdine Waves on Nov 11, 2026: 85-77 from the perspective of Sam Houston Bearkats. In the latest 5 games of this window, the record is 2-3, with scoring averages of 83.4 for and 83.6 against. The strongest margin in the displayed set was 102-59 against Howard Payne Yellow Jackets; the toughest was 83-107 against New Mexico Lobos.
Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction: Illinois Fighting Illini last 10 games
| Date | Site | Opponent | W/L | Team score–opponent score | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 10, 2026 | Away | Texas Tech Red Raiders | L | 78-84 | 2026–27 |
| Nov 05, 2026 | Home | Pennsylvania Quakers | W | 112-70 | 2026–27 |
| Nov 02, 2026 | Home | Fairleigh Dickinson Knights | W | 120-45 | 2026–27 |
| Apr 04, 2026 | Neutral | UConn Huskies | L | 62-71 | 2025–26 |
| Mar 28, 2026 | Neutral | Iowa Hawkeyes | W | 71-59 | 2025–26 |
| Mar 26, 2026 | Neutral | Houston Cougars | W | 65-55 | 2025–26 |
| Mar 21, 2026 | Neutral | VCU Rams | W | 76-55 | 2025–26 |
| Mar 19, 2026 | Neutral | Pennsylvania Quakers | W | 105-70 | 2025–26 |
| Mar 13, 2026 | Neutral | Wisconsin Badgers | L | 88-91 | 2025–26 |
| Mar 08, 2026 | Away | Maryland Terrapins | W | 78-72 | 2025–26 |
The results window for Illinois Fighting Illini contains 10 verified games, with a 7-3 record, 85.5 points scored and 67.2 allowed per game. For Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction, these are historical completed results, not ten games already played in the new season. The season column identifies the relevant campaign. A strong finish can provide useful background, while the new roster still has to establish its own form.
The newest listed result was a loss against Texas Tech Red Raiders on Nov 10, 2026: 78-84 from the perspective of Illinois Fighting Illini. In the latest 5 games of this window, the record is 3-2, with scoring averages of 88.6 for and 65.8 against. The strongest margin in the displayed set was 120-45 against Fairleigh Dickinson Knights; the toughest was 62-71 against UConn Huskies.
Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction: offense, defense and possessions
The first matchup question in Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction is how Sam Houston Bearkats and Illinois Fighting Illini handle the ball before the defense is set. A controlled early attack can produce a good shot, but a rushed attack can produce a turnover and an easier chance in the other direction. The team that gets into its offense cleanly will have more opportunities to make the opposing defense solve the intended action rather than benefit from a mistake.
The second question in Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction is who finishes possessions on the glass. One defensive stop does not help if the offense immediately gets a second attempt. For Illinois Fighting Illini, winning the initial matchup and securing the rebound would support the preferred script. For Sam Houston Bearkats, extra attempts are a direct route to making the game closer without requiring a perfect first-shot percentage.
The direct shooting comparison puts Sam Houston Bearkats at 53.1% effective field-goal shooting and Illinois Fighting Illini at 55.1%. The difference is 2.0 percentage points, favoring Illinois Fighting Illini. Meanwhile, the previous turnover averages were 11.8 for Sam Houston Bearkats and 8.9 for Illinois Fighting Illini. That makes ball security a useful part of the case for Illinois Fighting Illini, although opponents and tempo differed across the two schedules.
Sam Houston Bearkats: what the baseline says
The checked 2025–26 results for Sam Houston Bearkats cover 34 completed games and a 22-12 record. In that set, the scoring averages are 82.3 points for and 75.1 points against. Postseason games are included in the results record where they were played. For this early-season game against Illinois Fighting Illini, those figures describe the previous team. They do not mean that the current roster has already produced the same level of offense or defense.
The shooting baseline for Sam Houston Bearkats was 46.4% from the field and 36.7% from three in the 2025–26 regular-season statistical feed. The three-point percentage supports respecting the outside shot, while the new rotation still has to reproduce it. Against Illinois Fighting Illini, the useful distinction is between an open catch-and-shoot chance and a contested attempt taken because the possession is running out of time. A team can shoot the same number of threes while creating a very different quality of offense.
The calculated effective field-goal percentage for Sam Houston Bearkats is 53.1%, and 36.4% of field-goal attempts came from three-point range. Effective field-goal percentage gives extra credit to a made three. That shot mix suggests a useful test against Illinois Fighting Illini: whether perimeter coverage can force a less comfortable attempt without leaving the lane open.
At the foul line, Sam Houston Bearkats averaged 21.5 attempts per game and converted 72.2%. Getting to the line can support scoring even when jump shots are uneven, but the route matters. Strong drives and good post position create different pressure from a player leaning into difficult contact. Illinois Fighting Illini needs to defend without repeatedly sending a capable shooter to the stripe. If the game stays close, the same free-throw skill also becomes important when the leading team is intentionally fouled.
The ball-movement profile shows 15.3 assists and 11.8 turnovers per game for Sam Houston Bearkats, with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.3. Those are team figures, so they do not identify one guard as responsible for every decision. They do identify a useful question against Illinois Fighting Illini: can the new ball handlers create a good shot without exposing the ball to pressure? The answer will help determine whether the offense can keep its spacing and use its preferred actions.
Rebounding gives Sam Houston Bearkats another way to influence possessions. The previous regular-season feed lists 40.7 total rebounds per game, including 13.8 on offense and 26.9 on defense. Raw rebound totals are affected by pace and missed shots, so they are not the same as rebound percentages. Still, Illinois Fighting Illini needs to finish each defensive stand with the ball. An opponent that allows repeated second chances can defend the first action well and still lose the possession.
For defensive disruption, Sam Houston Bearkats recorded 7.2 steals and 2.8 blocks per game. These numbers are useful clues about past events rather than a complete rating of the current defense. A team can block a shot and still surrender an offensive rebound; it can also defend a possession successfully without recording either a steal or a block. Against Illinois Fighting Illini, the more valuable outcome is a controlled stop that allows the offense to begin without a scramble.
Illinois Fighting Illini: what the baseline says
The checked 2025–26 results for Illinois Fighting Illini cover 37 completed games and a 28-9 record. In that set, the scoring averages are 83.2 points for and 68.8 points against. Postseason games are included in the results record where they were played. For this early-season game against Sam Houston Bearkats, those figures describe the previous team. They do not mean that the current roster has already produced the same level of offense or defense.
The shooting baseline for Illinois Fighting Illini was 46.3% from the field and 34.7% from three in the 2025–26 regular-season statistical feed. That outside percentage makes shot selection important; volume alone would not establish a reliable scoring plan. Against Sam Houston Bearkats, the useful distinction is between an open catch-and-shoot chance and a contested attempt taken because the possession is running out of time. A team can shoot the same number of threes while creating a very different quality of offense.
The calculated effective field-goal percentage for Illinois Fighting Illini is 55.1%, and 50.7% of field-goal attempts came from three-point range. Effective field-goal percentage gives extra credit to a made three. That shot mix suggests a useful test against Sam Houston Bearkats: whether perimeter coverage can force a less comfortable attempt without leaving the lane open.
At the foul line, Illinois Fighting Illini averaged 20.4 attempts per game and converted 78.9%. Getting to the line can support scoring even when jump shots are uneven, but the route matters. Strong drives and good post position create different pressure from a player leaning into difficult contact. Sam Houston Bearkats needs to defend without repeatedly sending a capable shooter to the stripe. If the game stays close, the same free-throw skill also becomes important when the leading team is intentionally fouled.
The ball-movement profile shows 14.7 assists and 8.9 turnovers per game for Illinois Fighting Illini, with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.7. Those are team figures, so they do not identify one guard as responsible for every decision. They do identify a useful question against Sam Houston Bearkats: can the new ball handlers create a good shot without exposing the ball to pressure? The answer will help determine whether the offense can keep its spacing and use its preferred actions.
Rebounding gives Illinois Fighting Illini another way to influence possessions. The previous regular-season feed lists 40.7 total rebounds per game, including 13.2 on offense and 27.5 on defense. Raw rebound totals are affected by pace and missed shots, so they are not the same as rebound percentages. Still, Sam Houston Bearkats needs to finish each defensive stand with the ball. An opponent that allows repeated second chances can defend the first action well and still lose the possession.
For defensive disruption, Illinois Fighting Illini recorded 3.8 steals and 4.6 blocks per game. These numbers are useful clues about past events rather than a complete rating of the current defense. A team can block a shot and still surrender an offensive rebound; it can also defend a possession successfully without recording either a steal or a block. Against Sam Houston Bearkats, the more valuable outcome is a controlled stop that allows the offense to begin without a scramble.
2026–27 personnel and roster context
Sam Houston Bearkats: current roster reference
| 2026–27 roster reference | Position | Height | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Begg | G | 6′ 0″ | Junior |
| Jacobe Coleman | G | 6′ 3″ | Sophomore |
| Matt Dann | F | 7′ 1″ | Sophomore |
| Riccardo Greppi | F | 6′ 10″ | Junior |
| Mahliq Guiseppi-Kitson | G | 6′ 6″ | Freshman |
| Rylan Kelly | G | 6′ 3″ | Freshman |
| Alec Loustau | F | 6′ 8″ | Freshman |
| Aidan McDowell | G | 6′ 4″ | Junior |
| Nathan Nguyen | G | 6′ 0″ | Sophomore |
| Yoda Oke | F | 6′ 7″ | Junior |
| Keller Partain | G | 6′ 6″ | Sophomore |
| Zion Pipkin | G | 6′ 1″ | Junior |
| Xavier Roberson | G | 6′ 6″ | Freshman |
| Cheikh Sadibou Ndiaye | F | 6′ 10″ | Junior |
| Enel St. Bernard | F | 6′ 6″ | Senior |
The current roster feed lists Chris Mudge as head coach for Sam Houston Bearkats. The table gives the listed players, positions, heights and classes. It is a roster reference, not a projected starting five or a statement that every player has been medically cleared for this game. A name on the roster also does not establish a particular minute load.
Illinois Fighting Illini: current roster reference
| 2026–27 roster reference | Position | Height | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethan Brown | G | 6′ 4″ | Freshman |
| Quentin Coleman | G | 6′ 4″ | Freshman |
| Jake Davis | F | 6′ 6″ | Senior |
| Landon Davis | F | 6′ 9″ | Freshman |
| Blake Fagbemi | G | 6′ 0″ | Sophomore |
| Tomislav Ivisic | C | 7′ 1″ | Senior |
| Zvonimir Ivisic | F | 7′ 2″ | Senior |
| Jason Jakstys | C | 6′ 10″ | Junior |
| Quentin McCoy | G | 6′ 1″ | Junior |
| David Mirkovic | F | 6′ 9″ | Sophomore |
| Andrej Stojakovic | G | 6′ 7″ | Senior |
| Stefan Vaaks | G | 6′ 7″ | Sophomore |
| Lincoln Williams | G | 6′ 5″ | Freshman |
| Zavier Zens | F | 6′ 7″ | Freshman |
The current roster feed lists Brad Underwood as head coach for Illinois Fighting Illini. The table gives the listed players, positions, heights and classes. It is a roster reference, not a projected starting five or a statement that every player has been medically cleared for this game. A name on the roster also does not establish a particular minute load.
The roster information gives Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction a necessary new-season check. Last year’s team shooting percentage can change when a high-volume player leaves, a new guard takes over the ball or a frontcourt pairing changes. Experience labels help describe the group, but a senior transfer can still be new to the system. The important question is which combinations can defend, rebound and create a sound shot together against this specific opponent.
Game setting and the likely paths to a win
The setting for Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction is State Farm Center. Illinois Fighting Illini has the familiar home environment, while Sam Houston Bearkats must handle the road setting and its communication demands. The listed tipoff is Nov 13, 7:00 PM ET / Nov 13, 5:00 PM MT. A late change to the official schedule should be checked before planning around the broadcast or placing a wager.
The preferred script in Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction has Illinois Fighting Illini generating repeated useful possessions instead of needing an unusual run of steals or contested three-pointers. A lead would allow that team to keep using its normal offense rather than forcing a response. Sam Houston Bearkats wants the game to remain close enough for a few extra rebounds, a strong shooting stretch or a productive late possession to change the outcome.
The main risk to Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction is that this game reveals a different level of organization from the one suggested by the previous-season baseline. Sam Houston Bearkats can challenge the pick by protecting the ball, making the selected side defend for longer and avoiding unnecessary fouls. If Illinois Fighting Illini starts trading empty possessions for easy opposing points, the game would be moving away from the clean, repeatable execution behind this selection.
That is why the winner opinion is kept separate from a specific betting price. Our moneyline betting guide explains the format. At YouWager, the final game status and any confirmed availability changes should be checked before deciding whether to place a wager. Nothing in this preview turns the pick into a guaranteed score or a reason to chase an earlier loss.
Common questions about this matchup
Are these new-season statistics?
No. The historical results and statistical baselines are labeled 2025–26. The roster reference is labeled 2026–27 where that roster is available. For Sam Houston Bearkats and Illinois Fighting Illini, the new season still has to establish how those players work together. Exhibition results are not silently blended into a regular-season record.
Does the pick require a certain winning margin?
No. Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction selects Illinois Fighting Illini to win the game outright. It does not require a point-spread cover and does not attach the pick to an unverified total. The betting school guides explain how those markets differ. A team can be the preferred winner while its current price is still a separate decision.
What should be checked again before tipoff?
Confirmed availability changes and the final game listing matter most. A different primary ball handler or an unavailable interior defender could change the matchup more than a small difference in last year’s average. The handicapping guide adds background on evaluating the market, while this preview keeps the focus on the two teams and the winner.
Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction: three things to watch
Start with shot quality in Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction. Illinois Fighting Illini is our pick, but look for whether its first clean looks come at the rim, from kick-outs, or at the line. A few difficult makes can build a lead without proving the offense has found a dependable shot.
Next, count the possessions that end without a shot. In Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction, Sam Houston Bearkats can narrow the gap if it forces bad passes and turns those mistakes into quick points. A dead-ball turnover and an interception that leads straight to a layup cost the same possession but can have very different effects.
Finally, look at who comes away with the ball after the first miss. For Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction, a strong rebounding stretch can keep a team in the game even if it starts cold. Watch whether help defenders get back to their box-outs after a drive.
Sam Houston Bearkats vs Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Prediction: final pick
The selection is Illinois Fighting Illini after weighing the available scoring history, the roster context and the setting. The case for Sam Houston Bearkats depends on turning enough possessions in its favor to interrupt that route. The pick stays with the team expected to execute more consistently over the full game; it does not require predicting the exact final score.
The matchup can be followed at YouWager as game day approaches. Research was checked November 12, ahead of the November 13 slate, with earlier-season results clearly identified rather than presented as current form.
Our prediction: Illinois Fighting Illini to win.