Published Mar 27, 6:05am ET by
Demilade Adelekun - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Mar 27, 6:05am ET
Updated Mar 27, 6:05am ET
Big 10 foes will clash again in the Elite Eight. Will Iowa be able to continue its Cinderella run?
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| Illinois Fighting Illini | +235 |
| Iowa Hawkeyes | -290 |
Iowa is 25-12 overall and the 9th seed in the South Region. Wins over Clemson, Florida, and Nebraska has gotten them here. McCollum is only in his second year as a head coach and already has Iowa in their first Elite Eight since 1987.
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Iowa's run has been picture-perfect. Close games, buzzer beaters, and -1s. It feels as though they are meant to be here. In their last game, Stirtz carried the Hawkeyes over Nebraska with his 20-point outing. Can he continue this magic, or will this game be Iowa's last dance?
Illinois is 27-8 overall and the 3rd seed in the South Region, in their second Sweet 16 in three years, and their most efficient team since Brad Underwood arrived in Champaign.
They are led by Keaton Wagler, one of the best freshmen in the country. Wagler is an AP Second Team All-American, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and averages 17.9 ppg on 41% from three. In their matchup against Houston, they completely shut them down, allowing only 55 points. Can they repeat this performance against Iowa?
Iowa's run has been one of the great stories of this tournament, but Illinois is the better team, and they've already proved it this season. We think Illinois loves playing at Iowa's pace and will win a slow-paced game. Our pick is Illinois (-290)
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Pick
Illinois (-210)
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