I think the Houston-Illinois total is worth exploring at 140, since I made the number 132. Houston is third in the nation, allowing only 62.2 points per game, and since January 31st, they've gone under 11 times and over only five times. Great defense wins games. Coach Kelvin Sampson has been preaching defense as a means to get back to the Final Four, and this will be a big test for them, but I think they'll succeed and keep this game under.

Houston gets the opportunity to advance to the Elite 8 while playing in front of their own crowd. As rare as that is, when it comes to facing a true contender home court is not as big of an edge. Illinois is also a team that throws four to five waves of scoring bursts in a game. Additionally, the Sweet 16 has given Kelvin Sampson and the Cougars problems each of the past three years. They lost twice, and needed a miracle comeback against Duke last season. Tail Illinois.

Third-seeded Illinois meets second-seeded Houston in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, and the game is being played in Houston. The Cougars get some home cooking. Kelvin Sampson's team is playing its best defense of the season, holding opponents to 39.5% shooting and only 20.7 made field goals per game, which is tops in the nation. Illinois makes 11 3-point field goals per game and scores 84.7 points per game. Houston allows 62.2 points a game. The key for Houston's defense will be to take away Illinois's edge in offensive rebounding, and I think Houston will be very active throughout and nullify that edge. Houston to win.