llinois can advance to its first Final Four since 1989 with a victory over Arizona. (AP)
The Midwest Regional final is the only region of this year's NCAA Tournament in which the top two teams will play each other. Second seeded Arizona and top-seed Illinois will square off for the third time this season despite playing in different conferences.
Arizona won the Maui Invitational after beating Illinois as a 3 1/2-point neutral court favorite, 79-76. The Illini extracted some revenge when they beat the Wildcats in the Great Eight Tournament at the United Center in Chicago as a neutral 'pick,' 81-73.
Arizona started its NCAA Tournament run with a triumph over Eastern Illinois as a 21 1/2-point 'chalk,' 101-76. Coach Lute Olson's team then beat Butler as a 10 1/2-point favorite, 73-52, before disposing of Ole Miss as a 12-point 'chalk,' 66-56.
Loren Woods had 16 points and 11 rebounds against the Rebels, while Richard Jefferson added 15 and 11. Arizona limited Ole Miss to 34 percent shooting (20-of-58) from the field, while connecting on 42 percent (24-of-57). The Wildcats were 0-for-8 on three-point attempts, but shot a solid 18-of-22 from the foul line.
Arizona is 13-5 SU and 9-8 ATS away from home, beating opponents by an average of 14 points (80-66). Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Arizona as a 2 1/2-point Alamodome favorite over Illinois, with the total listed at 143.
The Illini started their NCAA Tournament run by routing Northwestern State as a 27-point 'chalk,' 96-54. Illinois proceeded to pound Charlotte in the second round as a 6 1/2-point favorite, 79-61.
Coach Bill Self's team manhandled fourth seeded Kansas in the Sweet 16 as a 2 1/2-point 'chalk,' 80-64. Frank Williams had a career-high 30 points and six rebounds versus the Jayhawks, helping the school advance to its first Elite Eight matchup since 1989.
Illinois is 14-7 SU and 12-8 ATS on the road, winning by an average margin of eight points (74-66).
By Brad Young
VegasInsider
The Midwest Regional final is the only region of this year's NCAA Tournament in which the top two teams will play each other. Second seeded Arizona and top-seed Illinois will square off for the third time this season despite playing in different conferences.
Arizona won the Maui Invitational after beating Illinois as a 3 1/2-point neutral court favorite, 79-76. The Illini extracted some revenge when they beat the Wildcats in the Great Eight Tournament at the United Center in Chicago as a neutral 'pick,' 81-73.
Arizona started its NCAA Tournament run with a triumph over Eastern Illinois as a 21 1/2-point 'chalk,' 101-76. Coach Lute Olson's team then beat Butler as a 10 1/2-point favorite, 73-52, before disposing of Ole Miss as a 12-point 'chalk,' 66-56.
Loren Woods had 16 points and 11 rebounds against the Rebels, while Richard Jefferson added 15 and 11. Arizona limited Ole Miss to 34 percent shooting (20-of-58) from the field, while connecting on 42 percent (24-of-57). The Wildcats were 0-for-8 on three-point attempts, but shot a solid 18-of-22 from the foul line.
Arizona is 13-5 SU and 9-8 ATS away from home, beating opponents by an average of 14 points (80-66). Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Arizona as a 2 1/2-point Alamodome favorite over Illinois, with the total listed at 143.
The Illini started their NCAA Tournament run by routing Northwestern State as a 27-point 'chalk,' 96-54. Illinois proceeded to pound Charlotte in the second round as a 6 1/2-point favorite, 79-61.
Coach Bill Self's team manhandled fourth seeded Kansas in the Sweet 16 as a 2 1/2-point 'chalk,' 80-64. Frank Williams had a career-high 30 points and six rebounds versus the Jayhawks, helping the school advance to its first Elite Eight matchup since 1989.
Illinois is 14-7 SU and 12-8 ATS on the road, winning by an average margin of eight points (74-66).
By Brad Young
VegasInsider
