UConn vs Illinois Betting Analysis
The first matchup has College Basketball Round of Four odds with Illinois as a two-point favorite over UConn. The total is 140 points. Expect this one to be a tough, defensive struggle. The second-seeded Huskies hustle for 40 minutes. Will the Illini make it through the championship game and find another Big Ten school, Michigan, awaiting them?
UConn already was covering college basketball lines in its round of eight game against Duke. So, bettors who took points were able to rest easy for the final incredible 10 seconds. The Huskies got a free throw to close within two before pressing the Blue Devils into a bad pass. Braylon Mullins hit a 3-pointer from the logo to send UConn to Indy, which happens to be the freshman guard’s home state.
UConn has a balanced attack, and any one of a number of players can get hot. Tarris Reed dominates the boards and can score. Alex Karaban is a threat from a long distance. Add in Mullins, Solo Ball, and Silas Demary Jr., and one sees why Danny Hurley’s team has made it this far.
Less is probably known about Illinois simply because there are so many good teams in the Big Ten. The Illini are 28-8. They finished the season losing three of five (including one in the Big Ten tournament) but have won the four games it took to get here.
There has been a meeting between these teams in the regular season. UConn handled Illinois, 74-61, at Madison Square Garden in November. The Huskies hit 10-of-28 3-point shots in this one. Remember, this is a team that was 1-of-18 until it found the range late against Duke.
Kylar Boswell doubled his 12.5 ppg average in the first game. Three of Illinois’ top four scorers come from the backcourt. The trio averages about 44 points of the Illini’s 84.4 points per game.
Beating a team twice in one season can be a challenge. However, UConn comes in 33-5 and looks like the play as they aim for their third national title in four years.
Pick: Uconn +2 points
