UConn vs Illinois Best Bets & Early Lines to Target

• The Illinois Fighting Illini are slight betting favorites in their Final Four matchup vs the UConn Huskies
• Illinois has won by double digits in each of its four NCC Tournament games
• See below for my UConn vs Illinois best bets and early lines to target

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A chance to play for college basketball’s national championship is on the line this Saturday, April 4th, when the UConn Huskies (33-5, 17-3 Big East) clash with the Illinois Fighting Illini (28-8, 15-5 Big Ten).

Illinois has yet to feel the pressure of a clash decided in March Madness fashion, as it’s won each of its four NCAA Tournament games by double digits, while the Huskies have had to gut out down-to-the-wire finishes with Duke and Michigan State to get to the Final Four.

Tip-off is scheduled for 6:09pm ET on April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, with the national broadcast shared across TBS, TNT, and truTV.

Read below for my best bets and early lines to target.

UConn vs Illinois Odds

Odds as of March 31. The interactive table above will automatically update as the college basketball odds move over the course of the day.

DraftKings has the Illini as -130 for an outright win, while the juice is up to +115 at b3t365.

BetMGM is giving the 1.5 points to top the betting favorites, and FanDuel is giving the underdogs a full point in the odds, paying out at -120.

Over bettors should be targeting bet365, where you can find the Over at 139 points at -110, while the Under bettors should go to DraftKings, where you’re getting a half-point to more to make the bet.

UConn vs Illinois Best Bets and Early Lines to Target

• UConn Moneyline (+110 at DraftKings)

Somehow, a team that just knocked off top-seeded Duke (and prior to that, 3rd-seeded Michigan State) and is looking for its third title in the past four years is an underdog in the Final Four?

Yet, that’s exactly what the books are leaning for Saturday’s battle as the Huskies battle against a very good Illinois Fighting Illini team — on that they’ve already beaten this season.

The Huskies took apart the Illini on Nov 28 at Madison Square Garden, jumping out to a 43-32 halftime lead before cruising to a 74-61 victory.

Fast forward and this Illinois team is back for more, only now they’re especially built to contend, carrying the no. 1 offense in the nation centered around star Keaton Wagler, who led the team in scoring with 25 points in their last game against 9th-seeded Iowa.

The Huskies have had to claw to get to the Final Four, including grinding out a 73-72 win over Duke, courtesy a last-second heave by Braylon Mullins answered.

But they also might just be fielding the best player at the NCAA Tournament so far in Tarris Reed Jr, who is averaging 21.8 points and 13.5 rebounds on a blistering 60% clip from the field. He’s definitely in the mix for March Madness Most Outstanding Player odds.

Reed Jr lit up the Blue Devils for 26 points, nine rebounds, four blocks, three assists and two steals, the third time in four tourney games he’s gone for 20+ points.

If that’s not enough, Alex Karaban has made UConn a dual threat, scoring 17.8 points per game, powered by a crisp 12-for-31 mark from 3-point range 38.7%).

Experience matters, and the Huskies have it in spades, and it should show itself enough in a game against a team that hasn’t been to these college basketball heights since 2005.

UConn vs Illinois Key Stats

The Pick: Over 139 Total Points (-110 at bet365)

Oddsmakers have set the first-half total at 64.5 points, indicating an expectation for early efficiency that should naturally accelerate as the game transitions into late-game fouling scenarios. Both teams possess the offensive firepower and high field-goal shooting splits required to push this game past the number.

Illinois can really put the ball in the basket.

The Illini are averaging an imposing 83.8 points per game on the season, and rank in college basketball’s Top 10 in both 3-point makes and attempts, while mashing on the glass — sitting seventh in offensive rebounding.

Connecticut doesn’t have a breakaway offense, averaging 77.1 points per game, but they have been decent for bettors at the NCAA Tournament, cashing the Over in two of the last four starts.