VCU takes on Illinois in the Round of 32 after a thrilling NCAA Tournament-opening win.
While the Rams would like to believe they have the momentum, the Illini are the ones that should have a good chance to keep rolling.
VCU is coming off an emotional overtime upset of North Carolina, but Illinois enters after a dominant 105-70 win over Penn, who was tabbed by the public and experts alike as a potential Cinderella after its unlikely Ivy League tournament win.
The Fighting Illini opened as a 10.5-point favorite for this Saturday night clas.
That line makes a lot of sense after the way both teams looked in the Round of 64.
Illinois buried Penn with a 65-point second half, while VCU had to erase a 19-point deficit just to survive and advance.
A bounce here and a missed shot there, and the Rams would have been a one-and-done.
Not only does Illinois come in with more rest, they are just a far better club on paper.
Their offense was the best in the country this season, per KenPom, and the Illini’s overall rating has them more on-par with a No. 2 seed than the No. 3 seed they received from the committee.
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Although they finished 25-8, Illinois could have easily been up there with the Dukes and Michigans of the college basketball world this season, losing four games in overtime and two more by four or fewer points during the regular season.
Bet on the favorites to win big in this one.
The play: Illinois -10.5 (-110, DraftKings Sportsbook)
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Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
