Ever since Illinois finally got healthy its offense has really picked up in terms of efficiency, but the defense has not exactly been a lockdown unit. After closing the regular season with game totals of 166 and 168, Illinois and Iowa played a blistering 106-94 game in regulation! Those tired legs will allow Maryland to score, and that will have Illinois pushing the pace to keep up in another game I think gets over 160.

Illinois is a much different team than the one that got hammered by Maryland 91-70 during the regular season. But aside from Michigan State, the Terps are the Big Ten’s most complete team. They match up well with the Illini and should advance. Back the rested Terps at this small number.

Illinois has some real issues playing outside their own barn. Their defense falls off a cliff (allowing 94 to Iowa Thurs night the latest example) and their always-erratic three-point shooting tends to wane. Maryland turned up defensive intensity last 3 weeks and slowed their pace. Top 20 O an D team with top scoring starting 5 in NCAA. Terps 11-2 last 13 losing only on two lucky last-second long shots. Scored 91 at Illinois. JuJu Reese and Derik Queen will create problems inside again. Defense wins, and Terps can win pressing full or halfcourt, playing man or playing zone.