Illinois vs VCU Rams Prediction & Picks - NCAA Basketball
USA - NCAA Basketball
New customers only | Commercial content | 21+ age limit | T&Cs apply
by Matt Lowrimore | in NCAA Basketball Picks
Plenty of second-round NCAA tournament action is set for Saturday, including a matchup between the #11-seeded VCU Rams (28-7) and the #3-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini (25-8) in the South Region. Let’s take a look at the match statistics and predictions for this game between the Rams and the Fighting Illini.
VCU pulled off one of the most impressive upsets in the first round on Thursday, beating the North Carolina Tar Heels in overtime by a score of 82-78. What made this win so impressive was that the Rams were down by 19-points before storming back to win. With the win over North Carolina, VCU has now won six games in a row and could keep this game with Illinois much closer than expected.
Illinois had a much more comfortable win in their first-round game, beating Penn by a score of 105-70. The win over the Quakers was their third in the last four games; however, they are just 2-2 ATS over the same stretch.
Limited Offer. Currently at DraftKings
Illinois vs VCU Rams Form
Illinois and VCU Rams Latest Matches
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
Mar 19, 2026 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 23, 2025 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 21, 2025 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 30, 2024 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 28, 2024 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 23, 2024 - NCAA Basketball
4/4 (100%)
0/4 (0%)
Mar 19, 2026 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 21, 2025 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 23, 2024 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 21, 2024 - NCAA Basketball
1/3 (33%)
2/3 (67%)
Mar 23, 2025 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 30, 2024 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 28, 2024 - NCAA Basketball
1/2 (50%)
1/2 (50%)
Mar 19, 2026 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 20, 2025 - NCAA Basketball
1/2 (50%)
1/2 (50%)
Mar 19, 2026 - NCAA Basketball
Mar 20, 2025 - NCAA Basketball
Illinois - VCU Rams Key Points
- VCU is 6-0 SU in March
- VCU is 4-2 ATS in March
- Illinois is 3-1 SU in March
- Illinois is 2-2 ATS in March
Limited Offer. Currently at DraftKings
Our Illinois vs VCU Rams Prediction
Illinois is a double-digit favorite in this game; however, VCU looks to be the best betting option. In a lot of ways, the Rams match up well against the Fighting Illini. They both average 80+ points per game, while they both allow less than 72.0 points per game.
Illinois does look to be the better rebounding team, but VCU has the advantage in forcing turnovers, which means they could gain extra possessions. Further, VCU is 7-3 ATS over their last 10 games.
Illinois wasn’t tested at all on Thursday, but VCU is a much better team and is likely going to put up much more of a fight. For that reason, our VCU Rams vs Illinois Fighting Illini prediction is: VCU Rams +11.5.All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
