The Xavier Musketeers faced the Texas Longhorns in a thrilling First Four matchup and now prepare to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Illinois, entering as the No. 6 seed in the Midwest Region, finished the season 21-12, while Xavier holds a No. 11 seed with a record of 22-11. The last time these teams met was in 2018, and both have shown strong spread covering in their recent games.

Game Details:

• Tipoff: 9:45 p.m. ET at Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Current Odds: Illinois -4, Over/Under: 161.5 points

Betting Insights

Before placing your bets on Illinois vs. Xavier, make sure to check out the predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model, which forecasts every Division 1 college basketball game. The model has been successful, accumulating over $2,000 in profits on its top-rated picks since 2023.

Illinois’s Key Players

Illinois has been consistent under the guidance of Coach Brad Underwood, who has led the team to the tournament for four consecutive seasons. This year’s roster includes impactful freshmen like Kasparas Jakucionas, Will Riley, and Tomislav Ivisic. Jakucionas averages 15.0 points per game, leading the team in scoring.

Xavier’s Recent Performance

The Musketeers come off an impressive offensive display, characterized by a win over Texas that showcased their shooting accuracy and depth. Marcus Foster is a key player to watch, having scored 22 points in the previous game, alongside consistent support from Zach Freemantle and Ryan Conwell.

Final Thoughts

The model is favoring the Under on the total, projecting only 155 combined points. For in-depth analysis and betting strategy, don’t forget to visit SportsLine for exclusive insights.