Expert prediction
NCAAB: #11 Duquesne vs #3 Illinois Odds, and Picks (Mar 23)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- Duquesne pulled off a surprising upset over BYU in the first round, securing a 71-67 victory.
- Illinois showcased their dominance with a commanding 85-69 victory over Morehead State.
- Illinois has won two out of the three matchups between these two teams, with the last in 1988.
The NCAA Tournament is in full swing! Let’s take a look at this bout between the Duquesne Dukes and the Illinois Fighting Illini. Duquesne pulled off a stunning upset against BYU in the 1st-round, but will need to be firing on all cylinders to outscore Illinois.
How to Watch
- CBS
Preview
Duquesne was not a very popular upset pick after entering the NCAA Tournament via the Atlantic-10’s automatic bid, but prevailed against BYU. Despite nearly squandering a 14-point lead, Dae Dae Grant’s 19-point performance, including four crucial free throws in the final seconds, propelled the Dukes to their first NCAA Tournament win since 1969. Their Cinderella story continues after qualifying for the tournament with four consecutive victories, which marked their first appearance in 47 years.
Illinois struggled to pull away from Morehead State in the first half, but went on a run late in the game that cemented their victory. Marcus Domask’s historic triple-double, coupled with Terrence Shannon’s 26-point contribution, propelled the Fighting Illini in their victory over the Eagles. Additionally, Dain Dainja’s surprise scoring burst of 13 of Illinois’ 17 points to start the second half further solidified their balanced rotation and dynamic offensive attack.
Prediction
Despite Illinois’ strong coaching and tough gameplay, Duquesne enters the matchup with significant momentum from their historic season. While Illinois has proven to be a tough competitor in the tournament, the unpredictability of March Madness leaves room for upsets. Expect a closely contested battle, with Duquesne able to pull off another historic upset and cover the spread in this game.
NCAAB Picks:
- Duquesne to win (DUQ +10.0)
NCAAB
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