Betting
timer

This event has expired. Please see other tips here

UConn vs Illinois Preview & Picks – UConn To Cover In March Madness Elite Eight Win

leigh-copson
29 Mar 2024
leigh-copson
Leigh Copson 29 Mar 2024
Share this article
Or copy link
  • UConn vs Illinois picks for Saturday, March 30
  • NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game is taking place at TD Garden, Boston
  • Preview, predictions, stats & form
(Getty Images)
    UConn vs Illinois Preview & Picks
  • UConn vs Illinois Preview & Picks
  • Head To Head
  • UConn Form
  • Illinois Form

UConn vs Illinois Preview & Picks

UConn are tipped to cover as they book their place in the Final Four.

The Huskies are excellent at both ends of the court, while Illinois’ defensive deficiencies are likely to undo any good work they do offensively.

  • UConn are 34-3 so far this season
  • UConn are 12-2-0 ATS in their last 14 games
  • UConn are 9-0-0 ATS in their last 9 NCAA Tournament games
  • The Over has cashed in 22 of Illinois’ last 28 games

Head To Head

  • UConn lead the all-time series 2-1
  • UConn won 71-56 when the two teams last met in December 1994

UConn Form

UConn are riding in a 10-game win streak in to this Elite Eight showdown with Illinois at March Madness.

The Huskies have not tasted defeat since the regular season, when they lost 85-66 at Creighton back on February 20.

They responded by winning their final four games of the season, and they claimed the Big East tournament title by beating Xavier 87-60, St John’s (NY) 95-90 and Marquette 73-57.

UConn then kicked off their quest for back-to-back national titles by blowing out Stetson in the first round, 91-52.

The Huskies backed that up with a 75-58 win over Northwestern in the second round, before downing San Diego State, 82-52, in the Sweet 16.

Illinois Form

Illinois have enjoyed an outstanding run over the past several weeks and take a seven-game win streak into this matchup.

The Fighting Illini lost their penultimate game of the regular season, 77-71 to Purdue, but they have been on a tear since.

They won their regular season finale, and then claimed the Big Ten tournament title by beating Ohio State 77-74, Nebraska 89-87 and Wisconsin 93-87.

Illinois kicked off their March Madness campaign by beating Morehead State 85-69, and they followed that up with an 89-63 blowout of Duquesne.

The best was yet to come though, as the Fighting Illini upset Iowa State in the Sweet 16, winning 72-69.

Verdict

Illinois are in red-hot form, but their success is built almost entirely.

They are not great defensively, and that spells trouble against a UConn team who are elite at both ends of the court.

Best Bet1: Connecticut -8.5 Spread @-111.11 at Stake.us - 4 Units
Best Bet2: Over 155.0 Total Points @-111.11 at Stake.us - 2 Units
Connecticut -8.5
Spread
@-111.11 - 4 Units
55 Stake Cash no deposit & 550,000 Gold Coins & 5% Rakeback
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Sign up with the code NEWBONUS. When you verify your account get 25 Stake Cash for free PLUS 250,000 Gold Coins and 5% Rakeback! No deposit required. Login each day for the next 30 days and get an additional 30 Stake Cash AND 300,000 Gold Coins. 21+ only. T&Cs apply. Excludes NY,NV,ID, KY,WA, MI.

Bet at Stake.us
Over 155.0
Total Points
@-111.11 - 2 Units
55 Stake Cash no deposit & 550,000 Gold Coins & 5% Rakeback
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Sign up with the code NEWBONUS. When you verify your account get 25 Stake Cash for free PLUS 250,000 Gold Coins and 5% Rakeback! No deposit required. Login each day for the next 30 days and get an additional 30 Stake Cash AND 300,000 Gold Coins. 21+ only. T&Cs apply. Excludes NY,NV,ID, KY,WA, MI.

Bet at Stake.us