After some days of rest and practice, Illinois is set to take the court again in the NCAA Tournament, this time in the Sweet 16 against the Houston Cougars. This game will be played in Houston, so it will certainly feel like a home game for the Cougars, but head coach Brad Underwood isn't worried about that.
It has been two years since Illinois made it to the Elite Eight, and that was where their journey ended that season. The Fighting Illini are hoping for a different result this year, but first, they need to get past Houston.
It should be an electrifying matchup with two talented freshmen on both sides. Both Keaton Wagler and Kingston Fleming have been great so far in the tournament, and in today's matchup, there is hope for even better play.
Illinois opened as a slight underdog to the Cougars, and that line has stayed pretty fair, but this is March, and Madness happens often.
Final odds, spread, and total for Illinois vs. Houston in the Sweet 16
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Spread
- Illinois: +2.5 (-102)
- Houston: -2.5 (-120)
Moneyline
- Illinois: +130
- Houston: -156
Total
- O/U: 139.5 (-120/-102)
Player specific odds for Illinois vs. Houston in the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament
- Keaton Wagler (ILL): +/- 14.5 points
- David Mirkovic (ILL): +/- 13.5 points
- Kylan Boswell (ILL): +/- 10.5 points
- Andrej Stojakovic (ILL): +/- 10.5 points
- Tomislav Ivisic (ILL): +/- 8.5 points
- Kingston Fleming (HOU): +/- 16.5 points
- Emanuel Sharp (HOU): +/- 14.5 points
- Milos Uzan (HOU): +/- 10.5 points
- Chris Cenac Jr. (HOU): +/- 9.5 points
- Joseph Tugler (HOU): +/- 9.5 points
- Mercy Miller (HOU): +/- 7.5 points
It will be a battle of the fresham is looks like for who could score the most points in this matchup between Keaton Wagler and Kingston Fleming. Both highly rated freshman that could got o the league after this season, but right now are focused on getting their team to the Elite Eight.
Final score prediction: Illinois 59, Houston 58
This is a bold prediction, but one I am comfortable making with the way that Illinois has been playing so far in this tournament. Head coach Brad Underwood has his guys ready to go and doesn't care that this is basically a home game for the Cougars in Houston.
It is going to be a close game with defense being on the highlights, as both teams know how to defend the basket well. Illinois will put the ball in the hands of its talented freshman Walger late and let him make what could be the final shot of the game to take the lead and send the Fighting Ilini to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2024.
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