Morehead State Eagles vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 3/21/24 – As we approach the heart of March Madness, the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament heats up with a compelling matchup between the Morehead State Eagles and the Illinois Fighting Illini. Both teams boast impressive 26-8 records, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash this Thursday. This game not only promises excitement for basketball fans but also presents intriguing March Madness betting picks and odds for those looking to add an extra layer of thrill to their tournament experience.
Morehead State Eagles vs. Illinois Fighting Illini 3/21/24
| When: | Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 3:10 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | CHI Health Center Omaha |
| TV: | TRU |
| Stream: | SofaScore |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagles | TBD | TBD | TBD |  |
| Fighting Illini | TBD | TBD | TBD | |
| ||||
Elation and reaction from @MSUEaglesMBB's Selection Sunday gathering.
The Eagles are heading to Omaha, Neb., to face the No. 3 seed in the East Region, Illinois.
📹 David Patrick #SoarHigher pic.twitter.com/yKnONRMGmU
— Morehead State Athletics (@MSUEagles) March 18, 2024
Riley Minix (Guard) vs. Terrence Shannon Jr. (Guard)
Overall, Riley Minix has been nothing more than fantastic for Morehead State, appearing in all 34 games on the floor this season and averaging 33.7 minutes on the floor. He is leading in stats, having 20.8p, 9.8r, 2.3a and 1.3s per game. From a proven shooting accuracy from the field at 54.6%, and an excellent free throw percentage at 83.4%, to his defensive contributions as well, Max is a player one should watch closely.
While for Illinois, Terrence Shannon Jr. has proved to be a powerhouse, contributing 22.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and nearly a steal and a block per game. He has managed to stay 27 times on the basketball court. Shannon’s just slightly smaller field goal percentage (46.8%) in front of Minix does not give a decrease in his capability to be a game changing player, although we notice his 35.7% success rate from three-point range.
When Minix and Shannon Jr. face off on the court, it will be a two-fold battle between the sharp shooting of the MSU balanced offense and the speedy scoring of the Illinois dynamic team. Shannon may be challenged by Minix’s characteristic all-around play and rebounding ability, but they can be countered by the latter’s relatively higher scoring and slightly better ball handling.
Analyzing the Eagles’ Flight Pattern
The Morehead State Eagles enter this game off a highly performing team throughout the season. They were the highest scoring team at 75.5 points with 46.9% of accuracy both inside the paint and from the perimeter. Their offensive rebounding is their forte with 39.4 boards per game, underpinning their dominance on both ends of the court. Nevertheless, the Eagles’ turnovers (12 per game) and fouls (15.9 per game) can help Illinois to get upper hand.
The Fighting Illini’s Charge
On the other hand, the Illinois Fighting Illini record an average of 84.2 points per game and take pride in shooting accuracy by scoring 47% of their shots. However, their asset is not only limited to scoring but also drawing non-productive contacts that often results in their 10.8 made free throws per game. The task of Morehead State will be to eliminate the attacking waves sparked by Illinois which led by the number 28.5 defensive rebounding (per game) and turn it to their favor using counter-attacks.
NCAAB Betting Odds: Illinois Fighting Illini -900, Over/Under: 146.5
The betting odds heavily favor Illinois, reflected in their -900 moneyline, with the game’s total points set at 146.5. Given both teams’ scoring abilities, bettors might find value in exploring the over, especially considering Morehead State’s tendency to engage in high-scoring affairs.
Trends
Morehead State Eagles Betting Trends
Morehead State are 5-0 in their last 5 games.
Eagles are 3-2 in their last 5 games against the spread
Morehead State are 10-8 in their road games against the spread
The totals have gone OVER in 2 of Morehead State last 5 games
The totals have gone OVER in 7 of Morehead State 12 last games at home
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends
Illinois are 4-1 in their last 5 games.
Illini are 3-2 in their last 5 games against the spread
Illinois are 9-3 in their road games against the spread
The totals have gone OVER in 3 of Illinois’ last 5 games
The totals have gone OVER in 13 of Illinois’ 21 last games at home
Morehead State Eagles vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Picks
In view of the statistical information and the present record, we can identify Illinois as the safer choice, especially with their capability to overcome the spread in away games. They managed to cover 9-3 spreads in such games. Nevertheless, Morehead’s last five games run (5-0) deserves credit and they should not be underestimated therefore can be seen as a promising pick against spread (+12).
If you take a look at the total points, the offensive potency of the both teams which is in a position to influence the outcome in terms of a high-score match game, the over becomes the most interesting option. Initially, Illinois might be a solid choice for the win and Morehead State’s underdog spirit combined with possibilities for the spread to cover might appeal to the bettors immersed in value creation at top online casinos.
Score Prediction: Illinois 80, Morehead State 70
