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Illinois Fighting Illini and VCU Rams square off in NCAA Tournament second round

By The Associated Press

VCU Rams (28-7, 18-3 A-10) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (25-8, 15-6 Big Ten)

Greenville, South Carolina; Saturday, 7:50 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Fighting Illini -10.5; over/under is 152.5

BOTTOM LINE: No. 13 Illinois and VCU meet in the NCAA Tournament second round.

The Fighting Illini are 15-6 against Big Ten opponents and 10-2 in non-conference play. Illinois is 0-5 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The Rams’ record in A-10 action is 18-3. VCU scores 81.6 points and has outscored opponents by 9.9 points per game.

Illinois averages 11.0 made 3-pointers per game, 4.2 more made shots than the 6.8 per game VCU allows. VCU scores 11.8 more points per game (81.6) than Illinois gives up (69.8).

TOP PERFORMERS: Keaton Wagler is averaging 17.9 points and 4.5 assists for the Fighting Illini. David Mirkovic is averaging 17.3 points over the last 10 games.

Terrence Hill Jr. is scoring 14.9 points per game with 2.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists for the Rams. Lazar Djokovic is averaging 12.4 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Fighting Illini: 5-5, averaging 85.9 points, 35.9 rebounds, 14.6 assists, 4.0 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 75.9 points per game.

Rams: 9-1, averaging 76.2 points, 33.2 rebounds, 12.9 assists, 6.7 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Cheryl Reeve steps away from the WNBA grind for a Hall of Fame induction

By The Associated Press
Cheryl Reeve is taking a break from her busy WNBA season to head to Knoxville this weekend and be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. She's only the second WNBA coach to enter the Hall of Fame, joining former Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor, who was inducted in 2001. “(I appreciate) the magnitude of this recognition of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and the great work that has gone into this institution,” Reeve said. “To walk around and see the history of how much has been done years before I could ever have this opportunity to coach. Grateful to the WNBA because I think there was some consideration given schedule wise.” Reeve will be joined by WNBA greats Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne in this year's class. Parker and Delle Donne also will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame later this year. Other inductees include ESPN broadcaster Doris Burke, Kirkwood Community College coach Kim Muhl, Spanish star Amaya Valdemoro, French great Isabelle Fijalkowski and Clemson's all-time leading scorer and rebounder, Barbara Kennedy-Dixon.
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