The Illinois Fighting Illini and UConn meet Saturday in the college basketball Elite Eight at the TD Garden. The winner of this game will play the winner of Alabama – Clemson in the Final Four. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Illinois vs UConn prediction.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview
The Illinois Fighting Illini are coming off wins over Morehead State, Duquesne, and Iowa State. The Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 83.9 points on 47.1 percent shooting and allowing 72.9 points on 42.9 percent shooting. Terrence Shannon Jr. is averaging 23.3 points and 4 rebounds, while Marcus Domask is averaging 16.1 points and 5 rebounds. Coleman Hawkins is the third double-digit scorer and Quincy Guerrier is grabbing 6.2 rebounds. The Illinois Fighting Illini are shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc and 74.1 percent from the free throw line. The Illinois Fighting Illini are allowing 34.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 38.1 rebounds per game.
UConn Huskies Betting Preview
The UConn Huskies are coming off wins over Stetson, Northwestern, and San Diego State. The UConn Huskies are averaging 81.1 points on 49.2 percent shooting and allowing 64 points on 39.8 percent shooting. Tristen Newton is averaging 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds, while Cam Spencer is averaging 14.4 points and 3.6 assists. Alex Karaban is the third double-digit scorer and Donovan Clingan is grabbing 7.4 rebounds. The UConn Huskies are shooting 36.6 percent from beyond the arc and 73.9 percent from the free throw line. The UConn Huskies are allowing 31.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 35.3 rebounds per game.
Connecticut Huskies Team Facts
- Connecticut has won each of its last 16 games played at neutral venues.
- Each of Connecticut’s last 16 NCAA Tournament games have produced a total of 153 or fewer points.
- Connecticut has won the first half in each of its last 15 games played at neutral venues.
Illinois Fighting Illini Team Facts
- Illinois has won each of its last eight games played at neutral venues.
- Each of Illinois’ last five night games have produced a total of 152 or fewer points.
- Illinois has won the first half in each of its last nine night games.
Illinois vs UConn prediction
Illinois is extremely talented offensively and has two guys in Shannon and Domask who can take over a game at any moment. It’s why I liked Illinois to upset Iowa State, and it makes the Fighting Illini a live dog in this game against UConn. I could understand if you wanted to grab the points with Illinois. With that said, UConn has proven it’s a class above the rest of the field. UConn hasn’t lost since February 20 and has covered 9 of its last 10 games. While Illinois is great offensively, it has had issues on defense, especially defending the three, where it was 259th in defensive three point percentage. UConn is elite at both ends of the floor, and oddsmakers are having issues making lines high enough. I’m not stepping in front of this UConn train. Give me the Huskies in a double-digit victory.