Free NCAA Tournament Pick: Cougars vs. Fighting Illini CBB Odds
Looking for Houston Cougars vs. Illinois Fighting Illini NCAA basketball free picks & CBB odds? CBB betting sees the Cougars taking on the Fighting Illini on Sunday, March 20th, 2022 at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NCAA Tournament matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NCAA basketball predictions like this Cougars Fighting Illini matchup.
2022 Men’s NCAA Tournament Handicapping
(30-5) #5 Houston Cougars vs. #4 Illinois Fighting Illini (23-9)
Date: Sunday, March 20th, 2022
Time: 12:10 PM EST
Venue: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA.
CBB Moneyline Odds: ILL +170 | HOU -200
CBB Betting ATS Odds: Houston -4.5 (Bet Now!)
CBB Betting Total: 133.5
Illinois escaped its first NCAA Tournament game against Chattanooga by the skin of its teeth.
Houston jumped on UAB early and cruised to victory, setting up the 4-seed and the 5-seed playing for a spot in the Sweet 16.
Houston Cougars
That Sweet 16 game against the winner of Arizona and TCU will be played in San Antonio but Houston first has to take care of one more in Pittsburgh.
The Cougars got 25 points from Kyler Edwards in their 82–68 win over UAB on Friday night. It was their 30th win of the season.
They did a fantastic job taking care of the ball (7 turnovers) and held UAB’s leading scorer, Jordan Walker, to 1-of-10 from three-point land.
Their primary concern against Illinois will be neutralizing Kofi Cockburn on the glass and in the paint.
Josh Carlton, a fifth-year transfer from UConn, will be Kelvin Sampson’s main option but even he gives up 40 lbs. to Cockburn.
But while Houston doesn’t have one guy who can match Cockburn’s size, it has more size and strength than Chattanooga, who gave the Cougars a blueprint on Friday.
Illinois Fighting Illini
The Mocs swarmed Cockburn and played him extremely physical, forcing the referees to blow their whistles and sending Cockburn to the free throw line when they did.
Early on, that strategy worked wonders, as Cockburn started 1-of-5 from the line. He made four of his last five attempts, though, and Illinois won the game, 54–53, surviving a great look at a game-winner from Chattanooga at the buzzer.
Cockburn played 35 minutes and led Illinois with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Fatigue may be a factor in this one, especially in the second half after Houston runs him ragged.
Alfonso Plummer started slow but hit some big shots at the end to finish with 15 points. His backcourt mate, Trent Frazier, never got going and finished with just two points, missing all five of his three-point attempts.
Jacob Grandison, who came into the day questionable after missing the Illini’s previous two games, did play but only nine minutes without a shot attempt.
The good news for Illinois is that it did not play well at all and managed to survive the first round.
If it is not much better in this one, it’s season will end here.
March Madness Betting Trends:
- Cougars are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
- Cougars are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Fighting Illini are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games.
- Fighting Illini are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
- Under is 8-3 in Cougars last 11 neutral site games as a favorite.
- Under is 4-0 in Fighting Illini last 4 overall.
Free Houston Cougars vs. Illinois Fighting Illini NCAA Tournament Prediction:
The road ends here for Illinois. Kelvin Sampson is an excellent coach and he will have his team prepared to limit Cockburn. His players have bought into what he preaches on the defensive end.
The Cougars will make defense their best offense and score often in transition. They also have size and strength advantages at every other spot on the floor aside from center.
The Coogs get back to the Sweet 16 and will enjoy a home-state advantage once they get there.
4* Free CBB March Madness Betting Pick: Houston -4.5
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