March Madness: Chattanooga vs. Illinois odds, picks and predictions
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Chattanooga vs. Illinois odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 71, Chattanooga 67
Money line
PASS.
Chattanooga should be primed for an upset, and its money line is worth a look. However, backing the Mocs on the spread is certainly the better bang for your buck.
Against the spread
BET CHATTANOOGA +8.5 (-120).
Usually, the issue with smaller programs is size. However, the Mocs have 6-foot-11 C Avery Diggs on their bench who should help limit Cockburn.
Chattanooga ranks 68th according to Kenpom and sits in the top 100 in offensive and defensive adjusted efficiency.
Just as we saw with Kentucky against Saint Peter's, sometimes is doesn't bode well having a big man that needs to be fed the ball being your top-scoring option.
The Mocs start 3 seniors, and their top 8 scorers are all sophomores or older. Chattanooga is ready for this moment with a heavily experienced group that should be able to execute a game-plan to limit Illinois strengths flawlessly.
Lastly, the Mocs defense ranks 25th in opponents' three-point shooting, a strength for the Illini. Given their strengths and experience, they should be able to keep this game close.
Over/Under
LEAN to the OVER 135.5 (-115).
If there's one thing both teams have been good at this season, it's scoring. The Fighting Illini are 17-13-1 O/U this season and average 76.2 points per game. They also rank in the top 100 in both field goal and three-point shooting.
The Mocs are also an efficiency side, averaging 75.1 points per game and shooting 46.8% from the field. The Mocs are 17-15 O/U this season.
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