Illinois vs Iowa State Picks and Prediction – 3/28/2024

The Illinois Fighting Illini roll into the Sweet 16 Thursday with a matchup against Iowa State in Boston. Illinois is red hot coming into this game with 28 wins on the year riding a long winning streak following a 26 point blowout victory of Duquesne in the second round of the big dance. Defensively Illinois was a better team giving up just 63 points on 41% shooting from the floor. The Illini also won the rebounding battle by 7 and forced 9 turnovers in the game. Offensively Illinois was dominant pouring in 89 points on 59.3% shooting and knocked down 7 triples overall. For other college basketball action see our College Basketball Picks.

Terrence Shannon Jr. is the offensive leader for Illinois this season averaging 23.3 points per game. Marcus Domask is second on the roster averaging 16.1 points and chips in a team high 4 assists overall. Coleman Hawkins does a ton for Illinois averaging 12.3 points to go along with the team leading 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. Quincy Guerrier is 4th on the team averaging 9.8 points to go along with the team leading 6.2 rebounds.

The Iowa State Cyclones roll into the Sweet 16 as the number two seed in the east region riding a long winning streak. Iowa State got to the Sweet 16 following eleven point victory over Washington State that extended their lengthy winning streak overall. Keshon Gilbert has carried Iowa State this season averaging 13.7 points per game. Tamin Lipsey is second on the roster averaging 12.5 points to go along with the team high 4.9 assists and Milan Momcilovic averages 7.2 points per game. Curtis Jones averages 10.6 points as the fourth player in double figures and Tre King adds in 8.9 points and a team high 5.3 rebounds.

Defensively Iowa State was top tier against Washington State giving up just 56 points on 43.1% shooting. The Cyclones did lose the rebounding battle but forced 13 turnovers to secure the victory. Offensively Iowa State did just enough scoring 67 points including forty in the second-half to break a 27 all tie on 40.4% shooting from the floor. Tamin Lipsey led the way for the Iowa State offense with 15 points on 11 shots.