Morehead State Eagles (26-8) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (26-8)
March 21, 2024 3:10 pm EDT
The Line: Illinois Fighting Illini -11.5; Over/Under: +147.5
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article we will formulate a Morehead State vs Illinois betting prediction for this NCAA Tournament college basketball game on Thursday, March 21st at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:
- The Morehead State recent form and recent player performance
- The Illinois recent form and recent play performance
- Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Morehead State
- Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Illinois
- Recent betting trends in games played between Morehead State and Illinois
- A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between Morehead State and Illinois
Morehead State Preview
The Morehead State Eagles are 26-8 (14-4) this year after they defeated Little Rock by a score of 69-55 in the OVC Title game. Morehead State finished the regular season tied for first in the OVC with UT Martin and Little Rock, and they come into this game on a six game winning streak. The Eagles don’t really have any quality wins, but they did play Alabama, Purdue, Penn State, and Indiana in the non-conference. Morehead State is scoring 75.5 points per game with 39.4 rebounds per game and 15.1 assists per game, while allowing 62.8 points against per game this year. Riley Minix is averaging 20.8 points per game, 9.8 rebounds per game, and 2.3 assists per game. Morehead State is shooting 46.9% from the field, 70.5% on free throws, and 36.1% on three pointers this season.
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Illinois Preview
The Illinois Fighting Illini are 26-8 (14-6) this season after they defeated Wisconsin by a score of 93-87 in the Big Ten Title game. Illinois has won seven of their last eight games, with the lone loss coming against Purdue by six points. The Fighting Illini have been electric offensively, scoring 89+ points in six of their last nine games. Illinois has quality wins against FAU, Wisconsin (twice), and Nebraska. The Fighting Illini are scoring 84.4 points per game with 41.3 rebounds per game and 13 assists per game, while giving up 73.8 points against per game this season. Terrence Shannon Jr. is averaging 23 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, and 2.1 assists per game. Illinois is shooting 47.1% from the field, 74.5% on free throws, and 35% on three pointers this year.
Morehead State vs Illinois Betting Prediction
Illinois comes into this game fresh off of a Big Ten Tournament title and they have been great offensively. Terrence Shannon Jr. was elite during the conference tournament and he will have to continue to play at a high level, as the Illinois defense can struggle at times. Morehead State was able to win the OVC Tournament and they are on a six game winning streak coming into this matchup. The Eagles are solid offensively, but they are great on defense, only allowing 62.8 points against per game this season. I do think Morehead State will find success against this Illinois defense, but I don’t think the Eagles are good enough to keep up with the Illinois offense. We should see plenty of points in this game and I like the over here.
