NCAAB: #3 Illinois vs #2 Iowa State Odds, and Picks (Mar 28)

• Illinois dominated their first two opponents, but faces their first single-digit seeded team next.
• Iowa State held off a couple of scrappy teams to make the Sweet 16, relying on their defense.
• These two teams last faced off on November 20, 2018, in a game that the Cyclones won 84-68.

The NCAA Tournament has reached the Sweet 16! Let’s take a look at this clash between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones. The winner will get a crack at one of last season’s title game contenders, with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

How to Watch

• TBS

Preview

Illinois continues to ride their scorching-hot offense as they enter the Sweet 16. They faced a pair of double-digit seeds in the tournament’s first weekend, but managed to outscore them by an average score of 87-66, proving their ability. That being said, Iowa State’s #1 ranked defense will certainly provide the Fighting Illini with a level of difficulty that they didn’t face in the first two rounds. Leading-scorer Terrence Shannon Jr. will continue to carry the bulk of the work on offense for Illinois.

Iowa State’s sensational defense has statistically surpassed conference rival Houston after the 2nd-round, giving them the nation’s top-ranked defense. That being said, the Cyclones will face a similar jump in difficulty in this game against Illinois. After facing a couple of subpar offenses, they’ll match up against the nation’s #1 offense in Illinois. With a game in the next round against the #2 offense in UConn a possibility, Iowa State will need to prove just how good their defense is to make the Final Four.

Prediction

This matchup holds incredible intrigue. Not only does the winner draw a date with the winner of the 2023 title game rematch, but these teams will be tested to the fullest extent. Iowa State holds the nation’s top-ranked defense, often holding opponents to fewer than 70, or even 60, points. On the other hand, Illinois boasts the best offense in the country, consistently racking up 80+ and 90+ point performances. With two opposites colliding, I lean towards the offense to break through late. I’ll take Illinois here.

NCAAB Picks:

• Illinois 77, Iowa State 73 (ILL +1.5)