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.