UConn had only three losses during the season. Two of these losses were against Creighton and Kansas, who had a size advantage over UConn. However, Illinois is also a team with a size advantage, ranked 8th at Kenpom. The Fighting Illini have a lot of experience, ranking 11th, and have played a tougher schedule (No. 24 vs. No. 37). The Huskies have a +12.3 point differential in road/neutral site games. In comparison, Illinois has a +7.5 point differential. The Huskies have held their opponents to 58 or fewer points in four straight games. I anticipate some negative regression. Take the underdog!

To paraphrase the late, great Chic Anderson calling the 1973 Secretariat Belmont for CBS, "UConn is moving like a tremendous machine!" The Huskies have hardly taken a deep breath yet in the Dance and haven't in more than a month save for a decent fight put up by Rick Pitino's St John's at the Big East Tourney. But Secretariat also eventually ran into Onion and Prove Out, and Illinois far more used to the sorts of grinders that the Big Dance often becomes, and having survived the Iowa State defensive vise grip in the Sweet 16. Matchups on Terrence Shannon and Marcus Domask, big Illini weapons on the perimeter, could cause issues for the Huskies. Play Illinois (NCAA at Boston)

I do think Illinois will test UConn in what should be an entertaining, high-scoring game. These are the two top ranked offenses on KenPom and while UConn's defense is very good, Illinois is one of the few teams that has the ingredients to score in the 70s against them. The Illini can compete on the offensive glass, get to the foul line often and they don't turn the ball over. On the other side, UConn will feast on Illinois' weak perimeter defense. The Illini rank a distant 227th in three-point field goal percentage defense. In a game that features two elite offenses, I'll play the over 154.5.

Connecticut has rolled through the tournament winning and covering all three games and the games weren't even close. The Champs are back and better than ever. The clinic they put on was just their normal game. They allowed shooting at 39% and allowed 63 ppg in the regular season and allowed 34% and 54 ppg in the three games. They're better than everyone else and mentally stronger. They're putting on a show. They went 25-12 ATS and 12-2 ATS in their last 14. How can you bet against them? U-Conn to cover.

The Huskies just faced a Big 10 team - albeit a lesser one - with one of the dominant guards in the country (Boo Buie of Northwestern). They eliminated him, as we told you they would, and won a blowout. Illinois is a two-man show, and more talented, but I love UCONN's balance, the way they team-rebound, and even when only one kid was shooting the ball last time out they still covered with ease. This is another home game for Huskies in BOS. UCONN 25-11 ATS as favorite and 16-4 road/neutral. During 10 game win-streak margin of victory: 17, 17, 39, 16, 5, 27, 14, 7, 30, 24. UCONN playing exceptional D. I project another double-digit win.

This is the best offense UConn has faced all season. Illinois will be able to score even against the Huskies' staunch defense. However, Terrence Shannon won't be as efficient as he was versus Iowa State. And the Illini won't be as fortunate as they were Thursday, when the Cyclones missed more than a dozen layups and dunks. The Huskies have yet to be challenged in this tournament and I think they're looking forward to a tougher matchup. Not only do the Huskies possess the nation's most efficient offense, they're No. 6 for the season in defense but playing even better lately. Lay the points.