Illiniois Fighting Illini vs UNLV Runnin’ Rebels | Free March Madness Round One Pick
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#9 Illinois Fighting Illini vs #8 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels
Southwest Region
Date/Time: Friday March 18 – 9:15 PM
Venue: BOK Centre – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Broadcast: TBS
Betting Lines from 5 Dimes
Money Line: Off
Spread: UNLV -2
Over/Under: 132.5
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There have been a number of under-performing teams from this regular season and Illinois is near the top of that list. Despite having a talented and experienced trio in guard Dametri McCamey, forward Mike Davis and centre Mike Tisdale, they slumbered through most of the Big Ten season putting their tournament worthiness in doubt several times.
But that can all be remedied with a win in the opener and they have a very good shot with this favourable matchup. McCamey is still one of the better floor generals in the nation and with Davis and Tisdale they have a decided size advantage up front.
It really is going to come down to how badly they want it. The Illini can definitely pull the upset here if they can get out of their own way and just play basketball. They seem to always be trying to hard out there, they just need to let go. 
The only teams to beat UNLV since the beginning of February are BYU and San Diego State. The Rebels have had a very unheralded season with only one of their losses to a team not in the field (Colorado State).
Prior to losing to SDSU (by just a bucket) in the Mountain West Conference tournament they had won 6 in a row and should have every confidence in the world for the event provided BYU and SDSU are clear of their bracket. UNLV wins by playing very good defense but they are slight up front which will be a challenge against the much bigger Illini.
If they are not able to rebound the basketball with their essentially 4 guard attack then this one could be very painful for UNLV fans.
I really like this team a lot but this is a really tough draw for them.
Betting Trends:
Under is 17-4 in ILL last 21 Fri. games.
Under is 13-4 in ILL last 17 NCAA Tournament games.
Predictions: If the Illini’s only advantage was size I wouldn’t pick them here but add that to an experienced PG and I think it might be a bit too much for UNLV in this one. This will be of the fiercer first round games but I like the upset.
Score Prediction: Illinois 67 – UNLV 64
