Yeah, it was a sloppy win but I'll take it. The Illini were giving something like 16 to 18 points in Vegas. I heard this right before tip off and I wish I could have placed a bet. That's just way too much for a rivalry game. I don't care if it's the #1 ranked team in the nation vs. an unranked team. Then the Illini pulled to a 16 point lead in the 2nd half and I thought it was a good thing I didn't make a bet.

In any case, I'll probably stay away from betting on the Illini for a while. I got hurt real bad in the 2001 Elite 8 against Arizona. The Illini were taking 1 1/2 points and I put all of my winnings and my principle thus far in the tournament on the Illini. The sting of the Illini losing hurt twice as bad as I also lost a boatload (in my terms) of money.

It's tempted me to bet against the Illini at times to hedge my interests but I can never bring myself to it. So I'll stay away from betting on college basketball for now.