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Illinois vs Xavier Preview & Picks – Fighting Illini To Earn March Madness Win
- Illinois vs Xavier picks for Friday, March 21
- March Madness 1st Round game is taking place at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee
- Preview, predictions, stats & form
(Getty Images)
- Illinois vs Xavier Preview & Picks
- Head To Head
- Illinois Form
- Xavier Form
Illinois vs Xavier Preview & Picks
Illinois vs Xavier Preview & Picks
Illinois are tipped to advance to the second round of March Madness.
The Fighting Illini are a top rebounding team that can limit Xavier’s second-chance opportunities and also create plenty of second-chance opportunities for themselves.
- Illinois are 4-1-0 ATS in their last 5 games
- The Over has cashed in 7 of Illinois’ last 10 games
- The Over has hit in 11 of Xavier’s previous 14 games
Head To Head
- Xavier lead the all-time series 2-1
- Xavier won 83-74 when the two teams last met in November 2018
Illinois Form
Illinois enter the first round of the national tournament having blown hot and cold over the past several weeks.
The Fighting Illini endured a three-game losing skid late in the regular season, but were able to turn things around over their final few games on the schedule.
The got back to winning ways with an 81-61 victory over Iowa, and they then backed that up with a 93-73 success when they visited Michigan.
Illinois closed out the regular season with an 88-80 win over Purdue, and then made it four-in-a-row with a 106-94 win against Iowa in the Big Ten tournament.
The Fighting Illini fell at the next hurdle though, as they were beaten 88-65 by Maryland.
Xavier Form
Xavier put their conference disappointment behind them as they booked their place in the first round of March Madness.
The Musketeers rebounded from a road defeat at Villanova with a seven-game win streak to close out the regular season.
However, they were unable to keep that run going in the Big East tournament as they fell at the first hurdle.
Xavier had beaten Marquette during the regular season, but when the two teams met in the conference tournament it was the Golden Eagles who came out on top, winning 89-87.
The Musketeers rebounded from that swift exit in the First Four of March Madness however, beating Texas 86-80.
Verdict
There is a method to Illinois’ madness that does not always work, but we are backing it to work for them here.
Their dominance in the paint can ensure they book their place in the second round of March Madness.
Their dominance in the paint can ensure they book their place in the second round of March Madness.
Illinois -3.5
Spread
@-111.11 - 4 Units
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Over 159.5
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.
See also
- Michigan State vs Bryant Preview & Picks – Spartans To March On In March Madness
- Kentucky vs Troy Preview & Picks – Trojans To Cover As March Madness Underdog
- Duke vs Mount St Mary's Preview & Picks – Blue Devils To Issue March Madness Beatdown
- Iowa State vs Lipscomb Preview & Picks – Cyclones To Cover March Madness Spread
- Alabama vs Robert Morris Preview & Picks – Crimson Tide To Cover In March Madness Blowout
- St John's NY vs Omaha Preview & Picks – Red Storm To Power Through In March Madness
- Purdue vs High Point Preview & Picks – Boilermakers To Avoid March Madness Upset
- Auburn vs Alabama State Preview & Picks – Tigers To Miss Out On March Madness Cover
- Gonzaga vs Georgia Preview & Picks – Gonzaga To Win Battle Of Bulldogs At March Madness
- Texas Tech vs UNC Wilmington Preview & Picks – March Madness Cover For Red Raiders
- Tennessee vs Wofford Preview & Picks – Vols To Record Blowout March Madness Win
- Houston vs SIU Edwardsville Preview & Picks – Cougars To Cruise Into 2nd Round Of March Madness
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