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by Dan Angell in NCAA Basketball Picks
The Illinois Fighting Illini (26-8 SU, 19-13-2 ATS) open their NCAA tournament against the Morehead State Eagles (26-8 SU, 18-11-1 ATS), the champions of the Ohio Valley Conference. The Fighting Illini appear to be playing their best basketball of the season, having just won the Big Ten tournament and owning an 11-3 SU mark in their past 14 games.
The Illini have put up points like nobody's business, leading the Big Ten in points per game. Guard Terrence Shannon Jr. in particular seems to be on a mission, scoring at least 20 points in six of the Fighting Illini's past seven games. In the Big Ten tournament, Shannon averaged 34 points per game and attempted 44 foul shots in just three games.
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Morehead State Eagles vs Illinois Form
Morehead State Eagles and Illinois Latest Matches
Morehead State Eagles - Illinois Key Points
- Illinois has played to the over 12 times in its past 14 games.
- Illinois coach Brad Underwood is 5-2 ATS all-time in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
- Morehead State did not beat a team that made the NCAA tournament all season.
- Morehead State went 1-3 ATS against teams from Power 6 conferences.
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Our Morehead State Eagles vs Illinois Prediction
The Fighting Illini have struggled with the first weekend of the NCAA tournament under Underwood, and the Big Ten as a whole has found it difficult to get past the first two rounds. The past three Big Ten tournament champions (Illinois, Iowa and Purdue) have all been eliminated in the first weekend, with Iowa and Purdue both falling in the first round.
But Illinois’ play style should make up for its history here. The Illini make a living at the free throw line and the Eagles will be forced to foul Coleman Hawkins inside. Morehead State turns the ball over far too frequently and isn’t equipped to cash in on the Illini’s issues with ball security. The Illini’s fast pace will also be too much for the Eagles to handle, and our Morehead State vs. Illinois prediction is Illinois -11.5 points.
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