The No. 8 seed Arkansas Razorbacks (20-13) and the No. 9 seed Illinois Fighting Illini (20-12) will meet in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday at 4:30 PM. Arkansas is favored by 1.5 points in the matchup, which airs on TBS. Here’s everything you need to know about this 8-9 matchup when filling out your brackets.
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Arkansas Vs Illinois Betting Lines
| Favorite | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | -1.5 | 143 points |
Computer Picks
| Spread Pick | Arkansas (-1.5) |
|---|---|
| Total Pick | Under (143) |
Predictions are calculated by a data-driven algorithm (raw power score) that ranks head-to-head matchup results within a closed network of games. Prediction confidence is determined by the delta between each team’s raw power score. Ready to put your picks to the test for this matchup? Check out DraftKings Sportsbook and sign up using our link for the best first-time depositor bonus!
Arkansas Vs Illinois Stat Rankings
| Arkansas Avg. (Rank) | Illinois Avg. (Rank) | |
|---|---|---|
| 74.4 (118th) | Points Scored | 74.7 (110th) |
| 67.4 (97th) | Points Allowed | 67 (84th) |
| 33.2 (154th) | Rebounds | 36.5 (22nd) |
| 9 (187th) | Off. Rebounds | 10.8 (42nd) |
| 5.1 (348th) | 3pt Made | 7.7 (149th) |
| 13.4 (159th) | Assists | 12.4 (239th) |
| 12.5 (234th) | Turnovers | 12.4 (224th) |
Arkansas Vs Illinois Betting Trends
- The Razorbacks have beaten the spread 16 times in 33 games.
- Arkansas’ ATS record as 1.5-point favorites or more is 12-11.
- This season, 14 of the Razorbacks’ 33 games have hit the over.
- Arkansas’ games have had more than 143 points scored on 14 occasions this year.
- The over/under for this game is 143 points, 1.2 more than the average point total for Razorbacks games this season.
- Illinois has covered the spread 18 times in 32 games.
- Against the spread as 1.5-point underdogs or more, the Fighting Illini are 5-1.
- This season, 14 of Arkansas’ 33 games have hit the over.
- There have been 14 Fighting Illini games this year with more than 143 points scored.
- Games involving Illinois this year have averaged 141.6 points per game, a 1.4-point differential when compared to the over/under for this contest.
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Arkansas Impact Players
- Anthony Black posts a team-leading 4.2 assists per game. He is also averaging 12.8 points and 5.1 rebounds, shooting 46.5% from the floor.
- Ricky Council IV paces his team in both points (15.9) and assists (2.3) per game, and also puts up 3.4 rebounds. Defensively, he puts up 1.2 steals and 0.2 blocked shots.
- Davonte Davis averages 10.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, shooting 41.4% from the field and 34.4% from downtown with 1.3 made 3-pointers per contest.
- Makhi Mitchell averages a team-high 5.5 rebounds per game. He is also averaging 7.1 points and 1.2 assists, shooting 66.7% from the field.
- Jordan Walsh averages 7.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1 assists per contest, shooting 44.4% from the field.
Illinois Impact Players
- Terrence Shannon Jr. is averaging a team-high 17.1 points per game. And he is producing 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists, making 44% of his shots from the floor and 32.7% from 3-point range, with 1.7 triples per contest.
- Coleman Hawkins tops the Fighting Illini in rebounding (6.3 per game) and assists (3), and averages 9.9 points. He also posts 1 steal and 1.2 blocked shots.
- Matthew Mayer is posting 12.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per contest, making 41.4% of his shots from the field and 33.8% from 3-point range, with 2.1 treys per contest.
- Dain Dainja gets the Fighting Illini 9.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. He also delivers 0.8 steals and 1.2 blocked shots.
- Jayden Epps is putting up 9.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, making 41.8% of his shots from the floor and 30.3% from 3-point range, with 1.2 treys per contest.
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