https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401856566/illinois-houstonHouston in basically a home game (?) are currently only -2.5 favs.
ILLINI will need to play quite a bit of zone (mtachup) against Houston to neutralize the 3 guards (good) penetrating. They can shoot the 3 but if not on, they want to get fast break pts/drives to the rim/fouls.
Houston overall as a team have 6 players that shoot 30-38% from three, but with only 3 players that average double digits. Houston is not made to go on HUGE scoring spurts, if the ILLINI can come out and punch them in the mouth first, sustain it and quiet the crowd, then they have a great chance and "should" win this one.
Our ILLINI have 6 players as well shooting 31-42% from three, however we have 5 guys averaging double figures.
40-36 avg rebounds, Illini are better.
84-77 pts per game, Illini are better.
14-14 assts per gm, even
4-7 steals per game, Houston is better, ILLINI cannot get sloppy and usually don't
8-9 T/O's per game, both teams are about even here.
FG/FT % are about even, they do count you know....LOL
All things considered a 2 seed playing a home game vs a 3 seed who's fans probably travel the best, and also who play very well in hostile environments should lead to a evenly matched game.
Houston bigs cannot get into foul trouble Cenac their best one is a freshman, and overall as a 7' is the only one inside that should give us issues, if he gets into foul trouble (Ivisic Bro's-Mirk-Andrej) hammering it to the rim, this game sways big time ILLINI way.
ILLINI 82- Houston 70 Elite 8 trip for our guys is my call!!
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