Head coach Brad Underwood is leading the Illinois Fighting Illini to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive season. Now comes the College Basketball lines challenge of gaining success in the Big Dance. So far, Underwood has produced two Round of 32 and one Round of 64 result. This year, Illinois made a strong run in the Big Ten but was unable to overcome the powerhouse Purdue Boilermakers. Illinois brings an elite-level offense to the Big Dance. But it’s the defense that takes possessions off often. Still, the Fighting Illini were impressive in winning the Big Ten Conference Tournament.
2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament First Round
| Date and Time: | March 21, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Location: | CHI Health Center, Omaha, NE |
| TV Coverage: | CBS, TNT, TBS, Tru TV |
| 2024 National Championship SBG Odds: | Click Here |
Omaha Regional – First Round Schedule
BYU vs Duquesne, 12:40 p.m. ET, TruTV
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duquesne | +8½ -110 | 142 -110 | +310 | |
| BYU | -8½ -110 | 142 -110 | -400 | |
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Illinois vs Morehead State, 3:10 p.m. ET, Tru TV
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morehead State | +12 -110 | 147½ -110 | +555 | |
| Illinois | -12 -110 | 147½ -110 | -805 | |
| ||||
Washington State vs Drake, 10:05 p.m. ET, TruTV
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drake | -1½ -110 | 138 -110 | -125 | |
| Washington State | +1½ -110 | 138 -110 | +105 | |
| ||||
Iowa State vs South Dakota State, 7:35 p.m. ET, TruTV
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota St | +16½ -110 | 134 -110 | +1040 | |
| Iowa State | -16½ -110 | 134 -110 | -1880 | |
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Illinois vs. Moorehead State
Overall, the Morehead State Eagles are 23-8 straight up, 16-10-1 against the spread, and 13-14 over/under the sports betting total. Moorehead State has national metrics of 128th for scoring offense, 59th for field goal percentage, 94th for 3-point field goal percentage, 209th for free throw percentage, and 13th for offensive rebounding. While defensively, Morehead State is 8th for scoring defense, 6th for field goal percentage permitted, 9th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 6th for defensive rebounding.
Late on, Morehead State has covered the March Madness lines in four of its previous six games. Morehead State has gone over the total in five of its last seven outings. First among Morehead State scorers is G Riley Minix, with 20.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. G Jordan Lathon adds 15.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest.
Overall, the Illinois Fighting Illini are 23-8 straight up, 17-12-2 against the spread, and 21-10 over/under the NCAA Tournament odds total. Illinois has national metrics of 12th for scoring offense, 54th for field goal percentage, 123rd for 3-point field goal percentage, 84th for free throw percentage, and 6th for offensive rebounding. While defensively, Illinois is 214th for scoring defense, 126th for field goal percentage permitted, 259th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 67th for defensive rebounding.
Late on, Illinois has covered four of its previous six games. Illinois has gone over the total in eight of its last ten outings. First among Illinois scorers is G Terrence Shannon Jr, with 23.0 points per game.
Overall, it’s been quite a progression for Illinois since Brad Underwood arrived on campus. Underwood has turned Illinois into one of the league’s most consistent winners. Despite inheriting a flawed roster and a program stuck in the doldrums. The team has quickly compiled four straight seasons with at least 20 wins. It would have been (if not for the 2020 pandemic) four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and two elite seeds in March.
However, that success hasn’t necessarily brought home as much hardware as fans might have hoped. Illinois grabbed a share of the Big Ten title in 2022 and won the 2021 Big Ten Tournament. In turn, both titles were followed by disappointing finishes in the NCAA Tournament. Illinois fell short in the Round of 32 each season. Last year was worse, with a First Four flop.