NEWSLETTER
The No. 8 Arkansas Razorbacks (20-13) take on the No. 9 Illinois Fighting Illini (20-12) in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, beginning at 4:30 PM.
Arkansas lost its most recent game to Texas A&M, 67-61, on Friday. Nick Smith Jr. was its top scorer with 16 points. In its previous game, Illinois lost to Penn State on Thursday, 79-76. Terrence Shannon Jr. scored a team-high 19 points (and contributed four assists and five boards).
When is Arkansas vs. Illinois and when does it start?
This matchup between the Razorbacks and Fighting Illini will begin on Thursday, March 16, 2023. You should expect the opening tip at 4:30 PM ET.
Where to Watch Arkansas vs. Illinois
The Razorbacks and Fighting Illini will hit the floor at Wells Fargo Arena (IA) for this matchup on March 16, and if you’d like to see the action live, get your tickets now from Vivid Seats!
What channel is the game on?
You can catch this game live on TBS.
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Game Preview
Arkansas Stats, Odds & Insights
Arkansas’ +232 scoring differential (outscoring opponents by 7.0 points per game) is a result of scoring 74.4 points per game (118th in college basketball) while giving up 67.4 per outing (97th in college basketball).
The Razorbacks are averaging 74.4 points, 7.4 more than the Fighting Illini give up.
Arkansas knocks down 5.1 three-pointers per game (348th in college basketball) at a 31.7% rate (306th in college basketball), compared to the 5.2 its opponents make while shooting 30.4% from beyond the arc.
The Razorbacks are posting 76.3 points per game in home games. When playing on the road, they are averaging 69.5 points per contest.
On the offensive side of the ball, Arkansas has increased its output a little bit over its last 10 games, scoring 74.5 points per contest over that stretch as opposed to the 74.4 it has put up over the course of this season.
Illinois Stats, Odds & Insights
Illinois puts up 74.7 points per game (110th in college basketball) while giving up 67.0 per outing (84th in college basketball). It has a +246 scoring differential and outscores opponents by 7.7 points per game.
The Fighting Illini average 74.7 points, 7.3 more than the Razorbacks allow.
Illinois makes 1.7 more threes per game than the opposition, 7.7 (149th in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 6.0.
The Fighting Illini average 77.5 points per game at home, and 70.0 on the road.
Illinois has fared worse offensively over its past 10 games, generating 73.9 points per contest, 0.8 fewer points its than season average of 74.7.
Razorbacks Key Players to Watch
| Name | GP | PTS | REB | ASST | STL | BLK | 3PM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Council IV | 33 | 15.9 | 3.4 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.9 |
| Nick Smith Jr. | 14 | 14.0 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 1.6 |
| Anthony Black | 33 | 12.8 | 5.1 | 4.2 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.8 |
| Trevon Brazile | 9 | 11.8 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Davonte Davis | 32 | 10.5 | 4.2 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 1.3 |
Fighting Illini Key Players to Watch
| Name | GP | PTS | REB | ASST | STL | BLK | 3PM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrence Shannon Jr. | 30 | 17.1 | 4.7 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 1.7 |
| Matthew Mayer | 32 | 12.8 | 5.5 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 2.1 |
| Coleman Hawkins | 32 | 9.9 | 6.3 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.1 |
| Dain Dainja | 32 | 9.7 | 5.5 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.0 |
| Jayden Epps | 30 | 9.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 1.2 |
And for more CBB game previews, NCAA basketball picks or even how to bet on college basketball check out the latest NCAAB lines on Betsperts.
