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4d ago

UConn–Illinois Final Four Opener Features Clash of Styles, Illini Slight Favorites

Oddsmakers lean Illinois due to its ball security, rebounding and ability to keep foes off the line.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 30: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini shakes hands with Head Coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies before the game during the Elite Eight round of the 2024 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at TD Garden on March 30, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 23: Head coach Jerry Stackhouse of the Vanderbilt Commodores looks on during the game against the Memphis Tigers at FedExForum on December 23, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Overview

  • UConn and Illinois tip off Saturday at 6:09 p.m. ET at Lucas Oil Stadium on TBS/truTV/HBO Max in the first men’s national semifinal.
  • Sportsbooks list Illinois as a narrow favorite, with lines around Illini -2 to -2.5 and an example price of UConn +110 and Illinois -130 on the moneyline.
  • UConn arrives off Braylon Mullins’ 35-foot buzzer-beater to stun Duke in the Elite Eight, as coach Dan Hurley set the tone with his “rings, not watches” message before the weekend.
  • Illinois brings a low-turnover offense and elite offensive rebounding, and it has limited opponent free throws this season, while UConn leans on Tarris Reed Jr.’s dominant interior play and has struggled with sending foes to the line.
  • Hurley downplayed his brief post-shot exchange with veteran referee Roger Ayers from the Duke game, and the NCAA’s Final Four officials list did not include Ayers.