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This Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament matchup between the No. 2 Iowa State Cyclones (29-7) and No. 3 Illinois Fighting Illini (28-8) will determine which of the squads is heading to the East Region bracket final when it tips off on Thursday at TD Garden, starting at 10:09 PM ET, airing on TBS.
Thursday’s matchup between the Cyclones and the Fighting Illini features the Cyclones as slim 1-point favorites. A 148-point total has been set for the matchup.
Iowa State vs. Illinois Odds
Point Spread for Iowa State vs. Illinois
The spread for this matchup is set at 1 point, with oddsmakers listing Iowa State as the favorite.
Iowa State vs. Illinois Moneyline
As for the moneyline, Iowa State has -118 odds to pick up the win, while Illinois is listed at -102 to claim victory.
Iowa State vs. Illinois Over/Under
Finally, the over/under for the game is set at 148 points.
Game Time and How to Watch
- Game Day: Thursday, March 28, 2024
- Game Time: 10:09 PM ET
- TV Channel: TBS
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
- Arena: TD Garden
Iowa State vs. Illinois Betting Trends
Iowa State has played 36 games, with 25 wins against the spread. The Cyclones have been victorious in 18, or 85.7%, of the 21 contests they have been chosen as moneyline favorites in this season. Iowa State’s games this year have hit the over 17 times in 35 opportunities (48.6%).
Illinois is 20-14-1 against the spread this season. The Fighting Illini have won 40% of the games this season they were the moneyline underdog (2-3). Illinois’ games this season have gone over the point total 26 times in 35 opportunities (74.3%).
Iowa State vs. Illinois Key Players to Watch
Iowa State
Tamin Lipsey puts up a team-leading 4.9 assists per contest. He is also posting 12.5 points and 4.6 rebounds, shooting 43.0% from the field and 39.3% from beyond the arc with 1.3 made 3-pointers per game. Keshon Gilbert averages a team-best 13.7 points per game. He is also posting 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists, shooting 44.0% from the floor and 34.3% from downtown with 1.0 made 3-pointers per game. Curtis Jones is averaging 10.6 points, 2.0 assists and 2.9 rebounds per contest. Milan Momcilovic averages 11.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, shooting 43.0% from the field and 36.3% from downtown with 1.7 made 3-pointers per game.
Illinois
Terrence Shannon Jr. paces the Fighting Illini in scoring (23.3 points per game), and puts up 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He also puts up 1.0 steal and 0.9 blocked shots. Marcus Domask leads the Fighting Illini in assists (4.0 per game), and produces 16.1 points and 5.0 rebounds. He also delivers 0.3 steals and 0.4 blocked shots. Coleman Hawkins is posting 12.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest, making 45.8% of his shots from the field and 37.8% from beyond the arc, with 1.7 triples per game. Quincy Guerrier is the Fighting Illini’s top rebounder (6.2 per game), and he produces 9.8 points and 0.3 assists.
What you need to know about the Iowa State Cyclones
The Cyclones have been led by their defense, as they rank fourth-best in the country by surrendering just 61.3 points per game. They rank 113th in college basketball in points scored (75.5 per contest). Iowa State is dominating when it comes to rebounding, as it ranks best in college basketball in boards ( per game) and best in boards allowed ( per contest).
Iowa State is sinking 6.7 three-pointers per game (249th-ranked in college basketball). It has a 35.6% shooting percentage (91st-ranked) from beyond the arc. The Cyclones are allowing 7.3 three-pointers per game (208th-ranked in college basketball). They are allowing opponents to shoot 31.5% (47th-ranked) from downtown.
The Cyclones are 7-3 against the spread and 9-1 overall over their last 10 contests. Iowa State has hit the over twice in its past 10 games. Iowa State has been scoring 68.5 points per contest in its last 10 times on the court, an average that’s much lower than the 75.5 it has scored over the course of the 2023-24 campaign. Iowa State’s defense has been more stingy as of late, as the team has given up 57.0 points per game over its last 10 compared to the 61.3 points per game its opponents are averaging this season.
What you need to know about the Illinois Fighting Illini
In 2023-24, the Fighting Illini are eighth-best in the country offensively (84.6 points scored per game) and ranked 230th on defense (73.4 points conceded). In 2023-24, Illinois is best in the nation in rebounds ( per game) and best in rebounds conceded ().
Illinois makes 8.4 3-pointers per game and shoots 35.2% from beyond the arc, ranking 80th and 114th, respectively, in college basketball. The Fighting Illini give up 6.3 3-pointers per game and concede 34.4% from beyond the arc, ranking 75th and 219th, respectively, in college basketball.
The Fighting Illini have gone 9-1 in their last 10 contests, with a 7-3 record against the spread during that span. In its past 10 contests, Illinois has gone over the total eight times. Illinois is posting 87.7 points per game in its past 10 games, compared to its season average of 84.6. The Fighting Illini are ceding 78.3 points per game in their previous 10 games, compared to their season average of 73.4 points allowed.
Iowa State vs. Illinois Prediction & Pick
Our prediction to win this matchup is Iowa State, and we expect that Illinois will cover the spread (Iowa State -1). Finally, we see the scoring in this one going under the posted total of 148 points.
How to bet Iowa State vs. Illinois
You can bet on Iowa State vs. Illinois at every legal online sportsbook. For more college basketball odds, including moneylines, spreads, over/under totals, check out the latest NCAA lines as well as our guide to the best college basketball betting sites.
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