The Illinois Fighting Illini (28-8, 14-6) face the Iowa State Cyclones (29-7, 13-5) in the Sweet 16 in the game after SDSU-UConn. This is a huge game because each team has a different opportunity to take down UConn in the next round. This is also an interesting matchup because each team is very different. Iowa State is a defensive-focused team, while Illinois is an offensive-focused team.
Can Illinois’ offense or the Cyclones’ defense win this game?
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa State Cyclones Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | Money Line |
| Illinois Fighting Illini | +1.5 -112 |
O 146.5
-110 |
+102 |
| Iowa State Cyclones | -1.5
-108 |
U 146.5
-110 |
-122 |
| **Odds Courtesy of DraftKings** | |||
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa State Cyclones Game Details
-
- Fixture: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Iowa State Cyclones
- Date and Time: March 28, 2024 @ 10:09 pm EST
- Location: TD Garden; Boston, MA
Apex Tale of the Tape
| Illinois Fighting Illini | Vs. | Iowa State Cyclones |
| 28-8 | Record | 29-7 |
| 84.6 | Points Per Game | 75.5 |
| 47.6 | FG% | 46.5 |
| 35.3 | 3PT% | 35.6 |
| 41.0 | Rebounds Per Game | 33.8 |
| 73.4 | Points Allowed Per Game | 61.3 |
| 43.0 | Defensive FG% | 40.2 |
| 34.3 | Defensive 3PT% | 31.5 |
| 71.9 | FT% | 71.5 |
| 32.7 | Defensive Rebounds Against | 20.3 |
| 5-0 | Last 5 W-L | 5-0 |
| 69.7 | Team Pace | 67.1 |
Key Stats
Illinois Fighting Illini
For the Illinois Fighting Illini, it starts and ends with their offense. They have the top-ranked adjusted offensive rating on KenPom with a rating of 126.7. They are also the ninth-ranked scoring offense in college basketball, averaging 84.6 points per game. Three Illini players average over double digits with Terrence Shannon Jr. leading the way at 23.3 points per game. He also averages 4 rebounds and 2,3 assists per game. Shannon has been on a massive hot streak scoring-wise with six straight games scoring at least 25 points or more. He also has scored 26 points and 30 points in Illinois’ last two tournament games.
Iowa State Cyclones
The Cyclones are all about defense. They have the top-ranked defense on KenPom with a rating of 87.5. They are also the fourth-ranked scoring defense, allowing 61.2 points per game. On offense, it is all about efficiency and balance for the Cyclones. Four different Cyclones average over double digits in scoring with Keshon Gilbert leading the way at 13.7 points per game. He also averages 4.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. The Cyclones do not have any one player like Shannon Jr. but have a few who are more than capable of scoring when needed.
Injury Report
Illinois Fighting Illini
- None
Iowa State Cyclones
- None
Game Prediction
Iowa State’s defense has been one of the best in the country next to Houston’s, while Illinois has one of the best offenses in the country, so something has to give. Illinois’ strength is that they run iso-ball and let their playmakers get to the rim on their own like Shannon, while Iowa State’s best defense is over-running plays and systems on the offensive side.
Illinois has guys that are going to take up this challenge and go right at the Cyclones. The defense is concerning, but at the end of the day Illinois has players that can take over a game and Iowa State does not, and that matters in March. The Illinois Fighting Illini win this game upseting the Cyclones and move on to play UConn in the Elite Eight.
Final Pick
Illinois Fighting Illini ML (+102)
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