Illinois and Arkansas are Potentially Thursday’s Best First Four Betting Game  

Annually, gamblers view news of the NCAA expanding its March Madness betting field.  The Arkansas Razorbacks are a great example of why March Madness should not be expanded.  To illuminate, Arkansas is not a serious threat to advance to the Final Four.  But the Razorbacks are a name brand from a power (SEC) league.  Since the NCAA Tournament is all about money rather than merit, Arkansas got its ticket punched to the Big Dance.  Still, there is no escaping the fact that the 2022-23 campaign was a step back for head coach Eric Musselman’s program.

Illinois vs. Arkansas CashBet Wagering Analysis

On the whole, the best sportsbook online action should be split evenly between these teams.  Illinois and Arkansas had remarkably similar campaigns in 2022-23.

Illinois Rides Roller Coaster into March Madness

At the beginning of the 2022-23 campaign, the Illinois Fighting Illini faced massive doubts from fans and gamblers.  Cause by the massive roster turnover from its strong teams of the past two years.  Head coach Brad Underwood did a masterful job of getting the newbies up to speed.  And the Fighting Illini were able to achieve a 20-win campaign.  But Illinois faded badly down the stretch.  To show, Illinois lost six of its final ten games straight up.  Thus, there is not much 2023 March Madness Betting enthusiasm for the Fighting Illini as the Big Dance begins.

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 20-11 straight up, 18-13 against the spread, and 14-16 over/under the total.  Overall, Illinois has national rankings of 115^th for scoring offense, 166^th for field goal percentage, 334^th for 3-point field goal percentage, 303^rd for free throw percentage, and 22^nd for offensive rebounding.  While on defense, Illinois has national rankings of 78^th for scoring defense, 52^nd for field goal percentage permitted, 157^th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 128^th for defensive rebounding.

Late on, Illinois failed to cover five of its final six games.  The Fighting Illini went over the total in four of its most recent six outings.  Illinois finished 6^th in the Big Ten standings, four games behind the champion Purdue Boilermakers.

Namely, Andrew Funk scored 17 of his 20 points in the second half as Penn State defeated Illinois 79-76.  Camren Wynter scored 18 points, and Seth Lundy had 17 points with ten rebounds for the 10th-seeded Nittany Lions.  Jalen Pickett came in averaging 18 points per game and scored 61 points in two regular-season wins over the seventh-seeded Fighting Illini.  Pickett had 12 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.  Additionally, Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 19 points, Coleman Hawkins 17, and Dain Dainja 13 for Illinois.

Arkansas Seeks to Save Lost Season  

Overall, the Arkansas bet on NCAA basketball Razorbacks are 19-12 straight up, 15-15-1 against the spread, and 13-17 over/under the total.  Arkansas has national rankings of 110^th for scoring offense, 33^rd for field goal percentage, 301^st for 3-point field goal percentage, 285^th for free throw percentage, and 134^th for offensive rebounding.  While on defense, Arkansas has national rankings of 97^th for scoring defense, 64^th for field goal percentage permitted, 35^th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 87^th for defensive rebounding.

Arkansas failed to cover three of its final four games.  Also, five of its last seven tilts went over the total.  Ricky Council IV led Arkansas with 15.9 points per game.  Arkansas finished 10^th in the SEC standings, eight games behind the champion Alabama Crimson Tide.

Coach Eric Musselman made it clear he wasn’t happy with a loss to No. 18 Texas A&M.  Correlate it was an early exit at the Southeastern Conference Tournament.  Razorback assistants had to restrain Musselman twice during a 67-61 loss Friday night in the quarterfinals.  The Aggies rallied from a 13-point deficit. 

Illinois vs. Arkansas CashBet Free Pick   

In this situation, we have an even 2023 March Madness betting madness.  And when it is equal, it’s best to take the dog.

Illinois vs. Arkansas CashBet Best Bet

Illinois Fighting Illini