Illinois Run Will End Against Eventual NCAA Champ, UConn

Illinois vs. UConn, 6:00 ET

That opening night of the Sweet 16 was not very pretty, so I am hopeful that the opening night of the Elite Eight can go a little better for me. In the first night, I went just 1-3 and lost plays on both of these teams. Does that mean I'll give up? Absolutely not! This has been a very good college basketball season for me, and I am hoping to cap off the year with some success in the tournament. Overall, it hasn't been a great tournament for me, but it hasn't been a disaster either. Tonight, I'm looking to start a run and get some of the money back as Illinois looks to take on UConn.

Illinois has put together a very nice run in the tournament, and let's not be surprised that they are accomplishing what they are doing. They are 29-8 on the season now and have made the Elite Eight for the first time in almost 20 years. Even the losses they've suffered this season have been encouraging, as they have lost by less than 10 points in all eight games. In fact, just one of the games was by nine points which wouldn't cover the spread in this game. They have a very good offense, led by Terrence Shannon Jr. If he can be the best player in the game, Illinois will have a shot in this one. Against Iowa State, the Illini went into the locker room at halftime up by 10 points. This was due to some very poor shooting from the Cyclones in the first half, but you have to give a bit of credit to the Illinois defense as well. Shannon was able to put in 29 points against Iowa State in just 22 minutes as he was in foul trouble for a lot of the game. Either way, the Illini were able to get the job done. It wasn't the prettiest offensive game for Illinois and they still scored 72 against a very good team. Shannon will need to be the best player in the game to give Illinois a chance in this one.

Mar 23, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) reacts during the second half against the Duquesne Dukes in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

UConn has barely had to break a sweat in the tournament. In their Sweet 16 game against San Diego State University, the team that they were able to beat in the Championship last season, they dominated start-to-finish. The Huskies were able to win the game by 30 points. They continue to find ways to hold their opponent to low scores. This is the tenth straight game that UConn has won and only two of those games were even remotely close contests. They haven't even allowed more than 58 points in the last four games. Against Stetson, they had the easiest matchup - not a surprise, but they handled their business as they won by almost 40. Against Northwestern, they were at least challenged a little, and they still won by 17. Tristen Newton will be one of the best players on the floor in this game. The UConn guard does a lot for the team, leading in scoring with 15.3 points per game, second in rebounds at 6.8, and dishing out 6.1 assists per game. The backcourt is able to score efficiently and they also play tenacious defense. If they hound Shannon, it could be a very tough night for the Illini.

I have to imagine that the Huskies game plan will be to not let Shannon beat them. To be honest, he didn't get that much help against Iowa State. If that remains the case in this one, Illinois will fall. I'm not even sure how they are going to beat UConn. For comparison's sake, Illinois lost their one and only game against Marquette this season, and it was at home for Illinois. UConn beat Marquette three times this season with only one of those games being within ten points. I have to take UConn -8.5 here. I think they are just that much better than everyone in the tournament. 

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