Illinois vs UConn Prediction & Best Bets (Elite Eight – East Region): Can Shannon Send the Huskies Home?

No defending men’s NCAA Tournament champion has reached the Final Four the following year since 2007. Will UConn break the drought today? The Huskies have been dominant thus far in their run at a repeat, but a tough task awaits in the East Region final against Illinois (6:09 pm ET, TBS).

The Huskies (34-3), the top overall seed in this year’s tournament, are in the Elite Eight for the 13^th time in program history after demolishing San Diego State 82-52 on Thursday night. UConn held the Aztecs to 36.2% shooting, and on the individual level, freshman Stephon Castle had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Tristen Newton (18 points) and Cam Spencer (17 points also had productive games offensively.

The win over SDSU made it nine consecutive NCAA Tournament wins for the Huskies, and all nine have come by double digits.

Will that streak continue to send UConn to Glendale, Arizona? No defending champ has returned to the Final Four since Florida in 2007, which was also the most recent repeat in the men’s NCAA Tournament.

With how dominant the Huskies have been, it’s not a surprise that third-seeded Illinois (29-8) is a big underdog. But the Fighting Illini, who eliminated second-seeded Iowa State on Thursday, have impressed in the tournament as well. And with one of the best scorers in college basketball on their side, Illinois has reason to feel confident about a potential upset.

Illinois vs UConn Odds

Odds are via BetOnline, a longtime fixture in the sports betting industry. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then grab yourself a nice sign-up bonus to bet on the Elite Eight.

Spread

• Illinois +8.5 (-107)
• UConn -8.5 (-113)

Over/Under

• Over 155 (-110)
• Under 155 (-110)

Moneyline

• Illinois +365
• UConn -455

Looking for more picks for the Elite Eight? Our NCAA basketball picks page features moneyline, spread, and total (over/under) picks for Illinois vs UConn, Clemson vs Alabama, Tennessee vs Purdue, and NC State vs Duke.

Illinois vs UConn Betting Analysis and Prediction

Were they going up against most other teams, you’d have to like Illinois’ chances of winning their first Elite Eight game since 2005.

There’s a lot to like about a team that has 29 wins, has won seven straight and 10 of 11, is second nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency (KenPom), and has one of the best players in college basketball.

And Thursday night’s 72-69 win over Iowa State is nothing to scoff at. Despite shooting only 31% from three and making only 15 of 29 free throws, Illinois remained ahead from the moment Terrence Shannon Jr. hit a three for the game’s first points 46 seconds in.

Not being anywhere near your best and still managing to score 72 points against one of the best defensive teams in college basketball is no small feat.

It certainly helps to have Shannon (29 points, 10 of 19 FG, 4 of 10 3PT), who is averaging 28.3 PPG in the NCAA Tournament and 30.3 PPG in his last seven games.

The Illini might need that to have a chance against the Huskies. Who’s the team ahead of Illinois in adjusted offensive efficiency? That would be UConn. The defending champs are also sixth in adjusted defensive efficiency, where Illinois ranks only 84^th.

That latter mark is where things are likely to unravel for the Illini. Even if things are flowing offensively for Illinois, I don’t think they will be able to slow UConn down on the other end.

The Illini are 5-1-1 ATS (4-3 SU) this season as an underdog, which is a strong record. But these Huskies look almost unbeatable right now, and I don’t see their tournament ending short of a return trip to the Final Four.

Prediction: UConn to win and cover

Illinois vs UConn Best Bets

Illinois/UConn Over 155 & Illinois/UConn First Half Over 73.5 (-110 at BetOnline)

There is some risk in taking both overs because UConn could put the clamps on Shannon and co. defensively.

But when the Illini have had a game with a betting total of 150+ this season, the over is 10-5, including 8-3 when the total has been 150 to 159.5.

For UConn, games with 150+ totals are 1-4-1 this season, with the lone over coming in UConn’s win over North Carolina in December). However, that doesn’t put me off either of these plays.

Best Player Props for Illinois vs UConn: Terrence Shannon Jr. Over 22.5 Points (-110 at Bovada) & Marcus Domask Over 14.5 Points (-107 at BetOnline)

Even with a lot of attention directed his way, Shannon is going to have a lot of scoring opportunities against UConn unless he ends up injured or in foul trouble. Even if he has a poor shooting performance, there’s a good chance that he will get to at least 23 points.

Domask scored only seven points against Iowa State, but Illinois will need more from him to compete with UConn.

In his last ten games following a game in which he scored fewer than 15 points, Domask has scored 15+ seven times. That includes a 22-point game in the second round against Duquesne after managing only 12 against Morehead State in the first round. So, this is a play that I like a lot, even more than the Shannon over.

More March Madness Betting Information

Where Can You Bet on March Madness This Year?

Each year, millions upon of millions of March Madness bets are placed at the top online sports betting sites.

Most March Madness betting takes place around and at tournament time, which is from mid-March to early April. But throughout the year, you can bet on who you think will win the college basketball national championship.

Along with men’s college basketball odds, most good sportsbooks now carry women’s college basketball national championship odds, which are drawing a lot of attention this season with the likes of South Carolina, Iowa, and LSU vying to cut down the nets in Cleveland, Ohio on April 7.

Numerous sportsbooks are good for March Madness betting, but in addition to BetOnline, here are some of the books that we have reviewed and highly recommend:

• BetDSI (Review)
• BetUS (Review)
• Bovada (Review)
• MyBookie (Review)

If you are unfamiliar with any of the above sites, check out our sportsbook reviews to learn more about them. Speaking of offers, keep an eye on the latest sportsbook offers from these books and others as the countdown to the opening tip of March Madness continues. That way, you will not miss out on any special sports betting promos and bonuses to pad your bankroll for March Madness betting.

Other March Madness Content at Betting News

If you like this Illinois vs UConn betting breakdown and would like to check out our other March Madness content, our March Madness guide is where you can find it all in one tidy place. But here’s a rundown of some of what we have put together to help you with your NCAA Tournament betting this year.

We’re also covering the 2024 NIT, so check out that content as well.

• Men’s March Madness Futures Odds
• Women’s March Madness Futures Odds
• 2024 Men’s Final Four Odds
• Six Men’s March Madness Sleepers for 2024
• Best March Madness Betting Tips & Strategies
• Where to Find the Best March Madness Betting Picks
• Best March Madness Betting Sites for This Year
• This Year’s Best March Madness Bracket Challenges
• Betting News Bracket Mania (Our FREE March Madness Bracket Challenge!)

Interested in Learning More About Betting on March Madness & NCAA Basketball?

If you are interested in learning more about betting on men’s or women’s NCAA basketball, check out our college basketball betting guide. It covers the basics of wagering on March Madness, the Mountain West, the MAAC, McNeese State, and beyond.

• College Basketball Betting Guide: How to Bet on NCAA Basketball in 2024

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