The 11-seed VCU Rams upset the 6-seed North Carolina Tar Heels on Thursday, 82-78. VCU was down by 19 points and lost most of the statistical battles, but the Rams had four more blocks and Terrence Hill Jr., who shot 13-of-23 from the field and 7-of-10 from downtown for 34 points. He also chipped in five rebounds and five assists.
The 3-seed Illinois Fighting Illini had no issues with the 14-seed Pennsylvania Quakers, handily defeating them 105-70. Illinois shot 15-of-36 from downtown and 16-of-21 from the free throw line. Illinois was +23 on the glass, +15 in points off turnovers and +20 points in the paint.
The Rams and Fighting Illini will meet on Saturday with tipoff TBD.
Illinois opens as a 9.5-point favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while VCU sits as a +350 underdog. The game total is set at O/U 154.5 points.
Illinois finished with a 24-8 regular season record, good for second in the Big Ten. Per Bart Torvik, Illinois has a power ranking of 6 with the second-best offense and 24th-best defense.
VCU was 28-7 and finished first in the A-10. The Rams are rated as the 46th-best team with the 48th-best offense and 68th-best defense.
