Fighting Illini Look to Upset Cyclones in Sweet 16 | Illinois vs. Iowa State | OSB
March Madness Sweet 16: (3) Illinois Fighting Illini vs. (2) Iowa State Cyclones
By Sam Batz
When: Thursday, March 28th at 10:09 PM EST
Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA
Watch On: TBS/truTV
Matchup: Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa State Cyclones
The Fighting Illini of Illinois will take on the swirling Cyclones of Iowa State in a Sweet 16 clash of the titans. 3-seed Illinois will look to take down 2-seed Iowa State in a highly anticipated must-watch game between two evenly matched sides. The oddsmakers have the spread set at just 2.0 points, and I have to agree with the experts; there’s not much separating Illinois and Iowa State. Historically, Illinois has dominated the Cyclones, recording an 11-3 record over Iowa State from 1923 to 2018. That’s right, despite being nextdoor neighbors geographically, Illinois and Iowa State have only faced each other 14 times over 95 years of competition.
Illinois has the edge historically, but Iowa State is the higher seed, making the Cyclones the inevitable favorites. But in March anything can happen, and this can’t miss matchup could go either way. Below you’ll find all of our picks for the Illinois vs. Iowa State game, including stats, scores, and advice. We’ll help you navigate the odds and provide helpful betting tips for Thursday’s Sweet 16 matchup between Illinois and Iowa State.
Illinois vs. Iowa State Odds
Team | Spread | Total (O/U) | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
Illinois Fighting Illini | +2.0 (-110) | Ov 146 (-110) | +105 |
Iowa State Cyclones | -2.0 (-110) | Un 146 (-110) | -125 |
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Illinois vs. Iowa State Betting Trends
Illinois Fighting Illini
- 17-13-1 ATS
- 17-14-0 O/U record
- 6-3 as UNDERDOGS
- 41.9% chance to beat Iowa State
Iowa State Cyclones
- 20-10-1 ATS
- 16-15-0 O/U record
- 25-8 as FAVORITES
- 58.1% chance to beat Illinois
Illinois vs. Iowa State Stat Comparison
Illinois Fighting Illini
- Sweet 16 appearances: 12x (most recent 2005)
- Points per Game: 84.6
- Opponent Points per Game: 73.4
- Rebounds per Game: 41.0
- Turnovers per Game: 10.6
- Field Goal pct: 47.6%
- Three-point pct: 35.3%
- Free Throw pct: 74.4%
- Top Players: Terrence Shannon Jr. (23.3 pts, 4.0 reb, 2.3 ast); Marcus Domask (16.1 pts, 5.0 reb, 4.0 ast)
Iowa State Cyclones
- Sweet 16 appearances: 7x (most recent 2022)
- Points per Game: 75.5
- Opponent Points per Game: 61.3
- Rebounds per Game: 33.8
- Turnovers per Game: 10.5
- Field Goal pct: 46.5%
- Three-point pct: 35.6%
- Free Throw pct: 69.9%
- Top Players: Keshon Gilbert (13.7 pts, 4.4 reb, 4.3 ast); Tamin Lipsey (12.5 pts, 4.6 reb, 4.9 ast)
Illinois vs. Iowa State Game Predictions
Illinois is technically the underdog, but I’m going with the Fighting Illini to advance to the Elite Eight over Iowa State. The Cyclones earned the No. 2 seed by playing hardnose defense, limiting opponents to just 61.3 points per game, the 4th-fewest points allowed in college basketball. But can Iowa State stop a high-powered offense like Illinois? The Fighting Illini average 84.6 points per game, the 9th-best average in college basketball, and are led by one of the top scorers in the country, Terrence Shannone Jr. Shannon Jr. averages 23.3 points per game, the 3rd-highest total in D1 basketball, and is averaging 28.0 points per game in the tournament.
The Cyclones defensive scheme gives them a chance to stop Illinois’ potent offense, but the Fighting Illini might be too good for Iowa State. Illinois far out rebounds the Cyclones, averaging 41.0 boards to Iowa State’s 33.8. Furthermore, Illinois shoots a better Free Throw percentage (74.4%) than Iowa State (69.9%), and in a game that will likely go down to the wire, Free Throws could determine the winner. It’ll be a classic hard-fought March Madness matchup, but I’m going with the Illinois offense over the Iowa State defense.
In summary, here are my picks for Illinois vs. Iowa State Sweet 16 matchup:
- Moneyline Pick: Illinois Fighting Illini (+105)
If you take Illinois’ Moneyline (+105): You bet $100 to win $105, for a total payout of $205, if Illinois wins straight up.
- ATS Pick: Illinois Fighting Illini (+2.0)
If you take Illinois to Cover the +2.0 Spread (-110): You risk $110 to win $100, for a total payout of $210, if Illinois wins the game, or loses by less than 2 points.
- O/U Pick: Over (146)
If you take the Over on 146 total points (-110): You risk $110 to win $100, for a total payout of $210, if Illinois and Iowa State combine for more than 146 points.
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