Iowa vs. Illinois, Picks and Prediction, Saturday, March 28, 2026
Use Code WWWC #9 Iowa (24-12, 10-10 Big Ten) will be going for their fourth consecutive win when they face #3 Illinois (27-8, 15-5 Big Ten) in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night. The game will be played at Toyota Center, and it is scheduled to begin at 6:09 PM. ET. Read on to find out which team picks up the win in this Hawkeyes vs. Fighting Illini prediction. Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
The Hawkeyes are coming off a 77-71 win over Nebraska as 1.5-point underdogs. The Fighting Illini are coming off a 65-55 win over Houston as 2.5-point underdogs.
Illinois is 9-1 in its last 10 games against Iowa.
Iowa Trying To Make First Final Four Since 1980
The Hawkeyes have been playing well since the start of the tournament, reeling off three straight wins, including one over the defending champions. They will try to keep the momentum going and book a spot in the Final Four for the first time since 1980 when they play on Saturday.
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Iowa averages 75 points per game. They’ve made 49 percent of their field goals and 35 percent of their three-pointers.
Bennett Stirtz leads Iowa with 19.7 points and 4.4 assists per game. Tavion Banks averages 10.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, while Alvaro Folgueiras averages 8.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
Iowa is giving up 66.1 points per game. Opponents have made 45 percent of their field goals and 32 percent of their three-pointers against them.
Illinois Going For Fourth Consecutive Win
The Fighting Illini bounced back from their loss to Wisconsin in the Big 10 Tournament with three straight wins. They will try to keep the momentum going and try to advance to the Final Four for the sixth time in school history when they play on Saturday.
Illinois averages 84.2 points per game. They’ve made 46.3 percent of their field goals and 35 percent of their three-pointers.
Keaton Wagler leads Illinois with 17.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. David Mirkovic averages 13.7 points and eight rebounds per game, while Andrej Stojakovic averages 13.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Illinois is giving up 69 points per game. Opponents have made 41 percent of their field goals and 32 percent of their three-pointers against them.
Iowa vs. Illinois Picks
Point Spread Pick for Iowa vs. Illinois
- Illinois Fighting Illini -6.5 (4 Units)
The Fighting Illini have the edge here because they’re playing well offensively, scoring more than 80 points per game in their last three games, while making 48 percent of their shots. They’ve also done a better job at the charity stripe, making over 77 percent of their free throws. Their ball movement has been good, and they rebound the ball well, grabbing more than 12 offensive rebounds per game in their last three games, which will give them more scoring chances. They also turn the ball over less than 10 times per game, so don’t expect them to give up many easy-scoring chances. The Hawkeyes usually play well defensively, but they’re giving up 70 points per game on the road, so expect them to have a hard time slowing down the Fighting Illini. Take Illinois to cover the spread.
Over/Under Pick for Iowa vs. Illinois
- Under 138.5 (4 Units)
The Hawkeyes average 75 points per game. They play at the slowest pace in the nation, averaging 64.5 possessions per game, and they’re facing a team that gave up 60 points per game in their last three games. The Fighting Illini average 84.2 points per game. They play at the 291st-fastest pace in the nation, averaging 68.3 possessions per game, and they’re facing a team that is giving up 66.1 points per game. Don’t expect these teams to score enough points to push the score over the total.
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