Braylon Mullins’ bonkers buzzer beater to send the UConn Huskies to the Final Four will be featured in March Madness highlight packages from now until the robots win.
But if you think that comeback over Duke sets the Huskies up for a letdown against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the national semifinals, think again.
If a five-day break doesn't bring UConn back to earth, you can be sure coach Dan Hurley will take his program down a peg or two.
Connecticut opened as a short underdog versus the Illini in the Final Four, and our UConn vs. Illinois predictions size up that spread and Over/Under total, giving some early March Madness picks and leans for Indianapolis.
Illinois vs UConn predictions
Here are our early thoughts on the spread and total for this week’s game. We will have a full game preview (with a best bet and SGP) later in the week.
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Early Illinois vs UConn spread pick: UConn +2
The market sits between Illinois -2 and -2.5, which is what you see from many of the popular college basketball prediction sites. However, a three-point Illini win isn’t a consensus forecast, as other models call for UConn winning, while some projections are absolutely on the fence.
Some bettors will buy into the fact that Connecticut — by all logic — shouldn’t be here after rallying from a 15-point halftime hole and needing a little March magic to make the Final Four.
Others will point to UConn’s victory over Illinois back in late November (74-61 at MSG) or the fact that the Fighting Illini have had a much easier path to the semifinals, facing Iowa, VCU, and Penn (on top of upsetting Houston).
To both sides of the argument, I would advise that you don’t dwell too much on the past and really focus on what these programs bring to Indy on Saturday. For me, I do see this spread slimming further before tipoff, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Connecticut closed as a favorite.
Illinois hasn’t been popular with the betting markets all tournament. According to our Covers Consensus data, the Fighting Illini’s opponents all drew the majority of ATS picks (Penn 57%, VCU 62%, Houston 64%, Iowa 57%) so far in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies haven’t seen as decisive a split in support and entered the Elite Eight matchup with Duke drawing 62% of ATS selections.
There are some other reasons why I’m leaning toward UConn in this game, including improved health after a five-day break, and I’ll go further down the rabbit hole in our upcoming picks and predictions.
If you like the underdog in this matchup, I suggest taking them now before the Huskies become a favorite.
Early Illinois vs UConn total pick: Under 139.5
The initial move on the total was to the Under, dropping from a high of 140.5 to as low as 139 points at some sharper shops.
Illinois and UConn prefer to play half-court basketball. They don’t push tempo or look to attack on the fastbreak; instead running motion with ball movement and dig deep into the shot clock.
There won’t be any easy buckets in this matchup. The Fighting Illini have the size to slow down the Huskies in the paint, while UConn can keep Illinois from crashing the offensive glass for second-chance buckets.
With both teams thriving on inside-out set-ups, it comes down to which side can shoot the best from beyond the arc – or defend the perimeter. I’d lean under in a very methodical matchup in Indianapolis.
Early Illinois vs UConn player prop
Pick: Alex Karaban Over 12.5 points (-114)
I’ll be damned if Alex Karaban is going to lay another egg in the Final Four. UConn’s veteran forward looked like the Monstars had stolen his talent for most of that matchup with Duke (Go watch "Space Jam" if you don't get that reference).
He was just 1-for-6 for the night, but did hit a massive 3-pointer late that helped set the table for UConn’s incredible buzzer beater. His points prop is back at 12.5 O/U — the same total against Duke's top-ranked defense — but he takes on a much lighter task in Illinois on both ends of the floor. Karaban has put up 17, 22, and 27 in the three games prior, and projections sit between 14.6 and 16.3 points on Saturday.
Illinois vs UConn odds
- Illinois vs. UConn spread: Illinois -2
- Illinois vs. UConn moneyline: Illinois -135, UConn +115
- Illinois vs. UConn Over/Under: 139.5
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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