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This is the first Elite Eight game for the Fighting Illini since 2005.
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UConn dismantled the team they met last year in the championship game.
The Illinois Fighting Illini will have their work cut out for them taking on mighty UConn in this Elite Eight game. The Huskies are an early -8.5 favorite in this one.
Betting on both teams is available from the states of Illinois and Connecticut and just about everywhere else for that matter at BetOnline.
How These Teams Got Here
Illinois’ offense carried it through the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament with Terrence Shannon Jr. scoring 29 points, including 20 points in the first half. Illinois has reached the Elite Eight for the first time since 2005, beating Iowa State 72-69 in an East Region semifinal.
The Illini have made the past four NCAA Tournaments under their seventh-year coach, but Illini coach Brad Underwood had never taken them past the first weekend until this year.
“When you face the No. 1 defense, you know they’re not No. 1 because they’re soft or they lack effort," Underwood said. “I also knew they’d come out and punch or counterpunch, and they did that.”
For UConn it's all about defending their championship title. They've lost just three games this entire season coming into the Elite Eight.
The Huskies destroyed the team they met last year in the championship game, the San Diego State Aztecs.
Stephon Castle had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the defending NCAA champions, leading to an 82-52 win.
Cam Spencer scored 18 points and Tristen Newton added 17 points and seven rebounds for UConn.
It should be noted that Saturday's game is considered home court advantage for UConn being that it will be played in Boston, under 100 miles away from where the Huskies play.
Illinois Fighting Illini Player Prop Bets
Scoring
Coleman Hawkins (10.5)
Illinois Fighting Illini
Terrence Shannon (24.5)
Illinois Fighting Illini
Ty Rodgers (6.5)
Illinois Fighting Illini
Rebounding
Coleman Hawkins (5.5)
Illinois Fighting Illini
Marcus Domask (5.5)
Illinois Fighting Illini
Terrence Shannon (4.5)
Illinois Fighting Illini
Assists
Marcus Domask (3.5)
Illinois Fighting Illini
UConn Huskies Player Prop Bets
Scoring
Alex Karaban (12.5)
Connecticut Huskies
Tristen Newton (14.5)
Connecticut Huskies
Stephon Castle (9.5)
Connecticut Huskies
Cam Spencer (13.5)
Connecticut Huskies
Donovan Clingan (12.5)
Connecticut Huskies
Rebounds
Tristen Newton (7.5)
Connecticut Huskies
Cam Spencer (4.5)
Connecticut Huskies
Alex Karaban (4.5)
Connecticut Huskies
Donovan Clingan (8.5)
Connecticut Huskies
Stephon Castle (3.5)
Connecticut Huskies
Assists
Cam Spencer (3.5)
Connecticut Huskies
Stephon Castle (2.5)
Connecticut Huskies
Tristen Newton (5.5)
Connecticut Huskies
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
