Duquesne Dukes (25-11) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (27-8)
Duquesne Dukes vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 3/23/24 – Duquesne Dukes take on Illinois Fighting Illini in an exciting Round 2 matchup of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, promising an engaging combination of experience and power on the hardwood. Both squads boast impressive records; Duquesne currently stands at 25-11 with 27-8 for Illinois as they tussle on court together for premium expert picks.
The Duquesne Dukes have earned their due credit – they have shown remarkable grit and tactical dexterity, culminating in an impressive victory record. Not just remaining unbeaten winning all 5 last games, they also won against the spread with their latest record being 4-2. They have given just as good performance on the road. This statement has been supported by their 7-6 record in terms of the spread in away games.
Illinois Fighting Illini show up with the lineup of offensive catalyzers and defensive stalwarts. Their current form might not be as good, however, their last 5 games have had a 4-1 record, which is encouraging, also, they are successful in covering the spread in road games, 9-3 against the spread.
Duquesne Dukes vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 3/23/24 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 8:40 PM ET |
| Where: | CHI Health Center Omaha |
| TV: | TNT |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Dae Dae Grant (Guard) vs. Terrence Shannon Jr. (Guard)
Dae Dae Grant has been the Duke’s rock with 32 games played, meanwhile averaging 32.8 minutes spent on the court. Among his best achievements are two national scoring records, which speaks for itself, while his contributions also go beyond just points; he averages 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Grant’s basket accuracy, which is 93.9% from free throw line and is not only one reason for his scoring consistency but also a factor that makes him an efficient scorer in tight games. His execution of this task will ensure that Duquesne achieve a win in this crucial match.
Illinois Fighting Illini stand out with Terrence Shannon Jr., who brings the team to 23 points each game across 28 evenings. Moreover, he is the only player in the league’s top 20 scorers who averages more than 35 minutes per game while also tallying 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1 steal and 1 block per game. Shannon’s proficient shooting, mainly with a 47% field goal, is reflected as the most important factor in his contribution to the offensive system. Empowered by his two-way playing style, he could be the face for turning the game around.
When two teams come face to face, sometimes it’s not an issue of numbers alone; rather, it’s a measure of the skill to give support to their team under high pressure. Grant’s clinical accuracy and Shannon’s all-round tenacity will be the making of quite an encounter between the duo, with each player’s input being fundamental to their team’s result.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: Illinois Fighting Illini -500, Total Odds: 148.5
The betting odds indicate a favoritism towards Illinois, reflected in both the spread and the moneyline. The -9.5 spread for Illinois suggests that oddsmakers expect a comfortable win for the Fighting Illini. However, the total odds of 148.5 points indicate expectations of a high-scoring affair, aligning with both teams’ recent trends towards efficient scoring and dynamic offensive plays.
Duquesne Dukes Betting Trends
The Dukes have just seen an impressive form recently, especially for the outright wins but also against the spread. Their defensive strategy, distilled in the fewer overs concept, illustrates their focus on tactical, planned shots. While their road game spread performance hints at the team’s potential weaknesses in away matches, their home games have been more effective.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends
The state of Illinois has shown that it is not only able to win games outright but also able to cover the spread, particularly in away games. This trend signifies that their teams are likely to be more offensive which would be optimal for their offensive defenses.
Duquesne Dukes vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 3/23/24 Betting Picks
Taking into account the statistics and dynamics that are indicative of this game among Duquesne Dukes and Illinois Fighting Illini, the matchup is already promising to be one of the best games in the tournament. The trends in the betting markets as well as the gaming stats show a game that is likely to be closely fought, but the analysis places the game heavily on the side of Illinois, whose chances are considerably higher. This disparity presents an interesting angle for betting enthusiasts and those looking for March madness matchup picks.
A -9.5 point spread for Illinois signifies the outstanding performance of their offense and belief in their betting against the spread, particularly on the road. However, the fact that the Dukes have proven to be strong time and time again should not be undermined together with the too high odds against their favor. This leads us to consider the over on 148.5 as a probable option but the defense prowess of Duquesne may become a very crucial factor in keeping their scores higher than what is speculated.
Free Pick and Prediction: Illinois Fighting Illini 79, Duquesne Dukes 72.