Who's Playing

Chattanooga @ Illinois

Regular Season Records: Chattanooga 27-7; Illinois 22-9

What to Know

The #19 Illinois Fighting Illini and the Chattanooga Mocs are set to clash at 6:50 p.m. ET March 18 at PPG Paints Arena in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Illinois will be seeking to avenge the 81-77 loss they suffered the last time these two teams played Nov. 21 of 2015.

It was close but no cigar for the Fighting Illini as they fell 65-63 to the Indiana Hoosiers last Friday. Guard Alfonso Plummer wasn't much of a difference maker for Illinois; Plummer finished with only six points on 2-for-12 shooting in his 34 minutes on the court.

Speaking of close games: the Furman Paladins typically have all the answers at home, but last week Chattanooga proved too difficult a challenge. Chattanooga skirted by Furman 64-63 thanks to a clutch half-court bomb from guard David Jean-Baptiste as the clock expired. Forward Silvio De Sousa was the offensive standout of the contest for the Mocs, dropping a double-double on 17 points and 14 rebounds.

The Fighting Illini are the favorite in this one, with an expected 7.5-point margin of victory. Now might not be the best time to take Illinois against the spread since they've let down bettors for the past three consecutive games.

Chattanooga's win lifted them to 27-7 while Illinois' defeat dropped them down to 22-9. We'll see if Chattanooga can repeat their recent success or if Illinois bounces back and reverse their fortune.

How To Watch

  • When: Friday at 6:50 p.m. ET
  • Where: PPG Paints Arena -- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • TV: TNT
  • Follow: CBS Sports App

Odds

The Fighting Illini are a big 7.5-point favorite against the Mocs, according to the latest college basketball odds.

The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 7.5-point spread, and stayed right there.

Over/Under: -111

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Series History

Chattanooga won the only game these two teams have played in the last eight years.

  • Nov 21, 2015 - Chattanooga 81 vs. Illinois 77