The opening two rounds of the NCAA Tournament are in the books, and just 16 teams remain. Facing off in the South Region, the Houston Cougars and Illinois Fighting Illini will meet on Thursday night in Houston.
Houston enters as a 2.5-point favorite with -162 moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. Illinois sits as a +136 underdog, with the game total set at 139.5 points.
You can check out a preview and prediction for the matchup on DraftKings Network here. But for now, let’s dive into the top player props for the Houston vs. Illinois matchup.
Best Houston vs. Illinois player prop bets
David Mirkovic to Record 2+ Made Three-Pointers (-120)
Houston has a strong case for the best defense in the country. Kelvin Sampson’s squad ranks second nationally in points allowed, along with sixth in defensive rating and fifth in opponent field-goal percentage. But the Cougars have one glaring weakness: they sit 116th in opponent attempted threes and 47th in opponent three-point percentage.
Enter freshman forward David Mirkovic, who’s averaging 13.6 points on 4.2 attempted threes per game at 38% accuracy. He ranks top-four on the team in both perimeter volume and efficiency.
Mirkovic will likely be guarded by either Chris Cenac Jr. or Joseph Tugler in this matchup. Both Houston forwards are bulldogs on the glass, but look less comfortable when drawn out to the perimeter. Mirkovic has made two or more threes in 17 games this season, and he’s shot a combined 5-for-10 from deep across two NCAA Tournament games. Expect Illinois to embrace the three against Houston’s formidable coverage, and for Mirkovic to do his part by knocking down a pair of shots from distance.
Kingston Flemings to Record 22+ Combined Points & Assists (-135)
All eyes will be on the showdown between star freshmen Kingston Flemings and Keaton Wagler. Both future lottery picks will surely have their flashes, but Flemings should stand out in the box score, given his team’s dominant defense. While both players have room for improvement, Fleming has thus far appeared built for the bright lights.
The Texas native is averaging 16.2 points and 5.2 assists per game in his first college season. He has exploded for as many as 42 points in a game this season, clearing 22 combined points and assists in 19 of his 36 games. Flemings has also elevated his game in high-profile matchups; he scored 42 points against Texas Tech and dropped 20 or more against TCU, Tennessee, Texas Tech (again), Auburn, Iowa State, Arkansas, and Kansas.
While Illinois has a strong defense, it’s far from impregnable. Flemings is more than capable of taking over from the perimeter, and he should shine in this matchup by tallying at least 22 combined points and assists.
Chris Cenac Jr. to Record 9+ Rebounds (+125)
Flemings may be the most talented player, but, in many ways, Chris Cenac Jr. is the heart and soul of the Cougars. The freshman has overcome questions about his motor by signing up to play for one of the most hard-nosed coaches in the country. He has more than changed his perception, looking like a perfect fit for Houston’s style of play.
The 6-foot-11 big man is averaging 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game this season. He has pulled down nine or more boards in 15 games, including both NCAA Tournament games. He tallied 18 rebounds in the opening round. Cenac also averages 2.2 offensive rebounds and has a knack for snatching the back-breaking offensive boards that create additional possessions for the Cougars.
Illinois has a tall frontcourt and ranks 10th nationally in rebounds per game and 21st in opponent rebounds allowed. But Cenac’s athleticism and tenacity go unmatched. Expect his presence to be felt all over the court, and for the New Orleans native to log several hustle plays throughout. Cenac has dominated the glass all tournament long; expect him to follow suit in the biggest game of his young career.
