Xavier vs Illinois Picks and Prediction – 3/22/2025

The Xavier Musketeers will play a first-round matchup in the Midwest region Friday night with a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini. Xavier has 22 wins and 11 losses on the year following their play six point victory against Texas on Wednesday. Offensively Xavier did the work against Texas scoring 86 points on 55.2% shoot from the floor knocked down 12 triples to erase a 16 point deficit at one point in the game. Defensively Xavier was just good enough holding Texas to 80 points but gave up only 33 in the second half on 49.1% shooting from the floor. Xavier lost the rebounding battle by 5 but forced 10 turnovers to secure the victory. Stay in the action with our College Basketball Picks.

Zach Freemantle leads the Xavier offense this season averaging 17.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Ryan Conwell is second on the team averaging 16.8 points and Dailyn Swain averages 10.5 points per game this season. Dayvion McKnight is 4th on the roster averaging 9.6 points to go along with the team leading 4.3 assists per game.

The Illinois Fighting Illini come into the big dance Friday as a six seed with 21 wins and 12 losses on the year following a 23 point blowout loss that gets Maryland in their last game to end a lengthy winning streak. Defensively Illinois was outmatched in their last game giving up 88 points as Maryland shot 42.3% from the floor knocked down 11 triples in the game period Illinois did win the rebounding battle by 9 but turned the ball over 17 times in the loss period offensively Illinois was terrible scoring 25 points on 36.5% shooting on the floor and 22.2% from beyond the arc.

Kasparas Jakucionis leads the Illinois offense this season averaging 15 points and 4.6 assists per game. Will Riley and Tomislav Ivisic are both tied for second on the team averaging 12.5 points per game and Ivisic also leads the way pulling in 7.7 rebounds per contest. Kylan Boswell is 4th on the team averaging 11.9 points and Tre White rounds out the top scorers for Illinois averaging 10.7 in 23 minutes per game.

Both teams come into this game having had great years as each have similar records. Illinois got in other the dance following an at large bid and Xavier made it following their play in win against Texas. Look for Illinois to do the work in this game Friday to punch their ticket into round 2. Take Illinois Friday to get the win and cover. Final Score Prediction, Illinois Fighting Illini win and cover 78-71.