#11 Xavier vs #6 Illinois NCAAB Pick: A Competitive 6-11 Battle

• Xavier secured an 86-80 victory over the Texas Longhorns in the First Four.
• Illinois: The Fighting Illini have not played since concluding their regular season.
• These two teams last met in the 2019 Maui Invitational, where Xavier won 83-74.

The #11 Xavier Musketeers and #6 Illinois Fighting Illini are set to face off in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Mar. 21, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. This matchup is particularly intriguing, as the 6-11 seed games have historically been ripe for upsets. Both teams bring unique strengths to the court, promising an exciting and competitive game.

Musketeers Are A Battle Tested Bunch

Xavier enters this matchup with momentum, having defeated Texas 86-80 in the First Four. The Musketeers boast a 22-11 overall record, demonstrating resilience and adaptability throughout the season.

Their offense has been particularly potent, averaging 78.5 points per game, ranking them 35th nationally. Defensively, they allow an average of 70.2 points per game.

Key players include senior guard Marcus Foster, who leads the team in scoring and assists, and forward Zach Freemantle, who anchors the defense with his shot-blocking abilities. To secure a win against Illinois, Xavier will need to maintain their offensive efficiency and tighten their defense to limit the Fighting Illini’s high-scoring offense.

Fighting Illini Will Need To Battle

The Fighting Illini enter the tournament with a 21-12 overall record, averaging 83.8 points per game, which ranks them among the top offenses nationally. Their defense allows 70.0 points per game.

Standout players include junior forward Kasparas Jakucionis, who leads the team in scoring with 15.0 points per game, rebounds with 5.6 per game, and assists with 4.6 per game.

Senior guard Will Riley provides veteran leadership and perimeter shooting, averaging 15.4 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 48.8% over the last 10 games. Illinois’ strategy will focus on leveraging its offensive strengths and maintaining defensive pressure to disrupt Xavier’s rhythm.

Xavier Musketeers vs Illinois Fighting Illini Pick

Illinois enters the game as a 3.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 160.5 points. While the Fighting Illini have a potent offense, the Musketeers have shown resilience and the ability to compete at a high level. Given Illinois’ scoring capabilities and previous performances, they have the edge in this contest. However, if Xavier can execute their game plan effectively, they have the potential to keep the game close and possibly cover the spread.