Illinois vs UConn Picks, Odds | NCAA Tourney Elite Eight Prediction

Illinois vs UConn Picks, Odds | NCAA Tourney Elite Eight Prediction

The Elite Eight of NCAA Tourney begins this Saturday -- and the first matchup of the day we'll be breaking down is Illinois vs UConn, which is scheduled for 6:09 p.m. ET on TBS.

The Huskies are big 8.5-point favorites on the spread in Saturday's contest; with the game total set at over/under 155 at most sportsbooks.

Here's everything you need to know about Illinois vs UConn -- the latest betting odds, as well as our expert picks and prediction for this Elite Eight NCAA Tournament matchup on Saturday, March 30.

Illinois vs UConn Odds

ILL @ UCONN Odds

Illinois vs UConn Picks & Prediction

UConn will finally have a legitimate opponent to face in the NCAA Tournament on its road to a second consecutive championship.

After blowing out Stetson, Northwestern, and San Diego State, the Huskies will be tested by 3rd-seeded Illinois in the Elite Eight.

The Fighting Illini led from start to finish in a 72-69 victory over Iowa State on Thursday as 1.5-point favorites. Illinois built an early 13-point advantage and held off a late rally for the win, as Terrence Shannon, Jr. stayed on fire by scoring 29 points in the win.

Brad Underwood’s team has won 10 of the past 11 games, while posting a 5-1-1 ATS mark this season in the underdog role.

UConn destroyed San Diego State in a National Championship rematch on Thursday, 82-52 to easily cover as 12-point favorites. The Huskies are 9-0 SU/ATS in their last nine tournament games as each win has come by double-digits.

During this great run in the tournament, the highest seed UConn has faced was 3rd-seeded Gonzaga in the Elite Eight last season, who they blew out, 82-54 as 2.5-point favorites. 

Now, the Huskies are heavy chalk against an Illinois team with one of the country’s leading scorers and has the ability to score at least 75 points.

Let’s take the points with Illinois to cover against UConn.

Pick: Illinois +8.5 (-110)

Click this link for betting picks and predictions for all four Elite Eight matchups of the NCAA Tourney!

Illinois vs UConn Game Time & TV Channel

Date: Saturday, March 30
Matchup: Big Ten vs Big East
Venue: TD Garden
Location: Boston, MA
Time-TV: TBS, 6:09 p.m. ET

Illinois vs UConn Betting Stats

1) UConn Huskies
(Big East, Automatic)

  • Futures: +440
  • Region: +110
  • ATS: 22-12
  • O/U: 16-17-1
  • PPG: 81.1
  • OPPG: 64

3) Illinois Fighting Illini
(Big Ten, Automatic)

  • Futures: +2700
  • Region: +600
  • SU: 26-8
  • ATS: 19-13-1
  • O/U: 24-10
  • PPG: 83.9
  • OPPG: 72.9

March Madness Betting Resources

March Madness Elite Eight Odds

The Elite Eight of the NCAA Men's Tournament gets underway on Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31.

Check out the teams, odds, betting stats and much more on each of the four regions below: