Illinois Fighting Illini (28-8) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (29-7)
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa State Cyclones 3/28/24 – As the Sweet 16 stage of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament heats up, the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones are set to face off in a thrilling contest on Thursday. This matchup is primed to be a nail-biter. Fans and bettors alike are eagerly seeking expert paid selections to guide their wagers for this anticipated clash.
The Illinois Fighting Illini offensive engine has been excellent all year as it averages a whopping 84.6 points a game, fueled by a 29.5-field goals-per-game efficiency at 47.6%. They shoot with proficiency at long range, averaging 8.4 three-pointers per game at 35.3% accuracy. As a defensive team, Illinois has 41 rebounds per game and performs strong plays with 4.3 steals and 3.8 blocks per game. These clearly showcase a well-balanced team.
The Cyclones on the same side of the field pass as a lot of offensive and defensive variety as well. With an average of 75.5 points per game, the Cyclones showed off themselves as an effective team with a 46.5% field goal percentage. Their strategy leans slightly more towards post ups plays, backed by an effective perimeter attack, as proved by the team average of 6.7 three pointers made with a 35.6 % connectivity rate. The Cyclones are another type of defensive team that stands out as they have 10.3 steals per game that is evidence enough to create a defense that could affect Illinois’s rhythm.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa State Cyclones 3/28/24 Game Info
| When: | Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 10:09 PM ET |
| Where: | TD Garden |
| TV: | TBS |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Terrence Shannon Jr. (Guard) vs. Keshon Gilbert (Guard)
Terrence Shannon Jr.’s incredible season has proved that he is simply unstoppable. He is averaging 23.3 points per game, along with 4 rebounds per game and 2.3 assists per game. His outstanding 48.1% field goal and 36.1% beyond the arc seemed to be the turning points to make him a terror. Nonetheless, the turnovers he makes could be a weak spot that he should always bear in mind.
The Iowa State Cyclon’s Keshon Gilbert sparkles with his 4.3 assists, and 1.9 steals but also brings a different color to the game with his 13.7 points, and 4.4 rebounds per game. The Cyclones’ offensive ability is the big cause for Gilbert’s defense and playmaking skill to be one of the key pieces of their game plan.
There is no doubt that when these two competitors play against each other, their styles would easily become the center of attention. Very likely, the way Shannon’s scoring as well the all-round capabilities of Gilbert dictate the game both in tempo and eventual results is likely to be the case.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: Iowa State Cyclones -137, Total Odds: 146.5
The betting odds suggest a slight edge to the Iowa State Cyclones, reflected in their -137 moneyline compared to Illinois’s +114. The game’s total is set at 146.5 points, indicating expectations of a relatively high-scoring affair.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends
The latest form of Illinois, with them winning 4 out of their past 5 games, including the 3 in which they covered the spread, is an indication of their readiness for the championship stage. Their remarkable away game against the spread record of 9-3 implies that they can do superbly under pressure circumstances, which makes them a great choice for bettors to place their bets.
Iowa State Cyclones Betting Trends
Likewise, Iowa State teams’ 4-1 record in their last five games corresponds to their consistency. Although they have a splendid 8-5 record against the spread on their away games, the fact that they could only manage to win one of the last five games suggest that the teams will play tight games, if not lower-scoring ones.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa State Cyclones 3/28/24 Betting Picks
This game is primed to be a close contest based on statistical data and betting trends. Nevertheless, the defensive prowess, and the capacity of Illinois to succeed in high-stakes situations build up for their slight advantage. The success of the Illinois team will rely on using their offense to beat the aggressive Iowa State defense and outsmart the latter’s pattern by using their extra moves.
It could be wise for the fans and bettors who are looking for March Madness game day picks to show their support for Illinois and cover the spread. Road performance and offensive proficiency, which are their major strengths, are giving them a short lead in what is going to be a very close match. Besides, comparing both teams’ scoring performances and recent trends, one could also consider Over bet.
Free Pick and Prediction: Illinois Fighting Illini 78, Iowa State Cyclones 74.