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Illinois Fighting Illini face the VCU Rams in 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 -11.5; over/under is 151.5

BOTTOM LINE: No. 13 Illinois takes on VCU in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Fighting Illini’s record in Big Ten games is 15-6, and their record is 10-2 against non-conference opponents. Illinois is the Big Ten leader with 12.2 offensive rebounds per game led by David Mirkovic averaging 2.5.

The Rams are 18-3 against A-10 opponents. VCU scores 81.6 points while outscoring 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 has shot at a 46.0% rate from the field this season, 4.9 percentage points higher than the 41.1% shooting opponents of Illinois have averaged.

TOP PERFORMERS: Keaton Wagler is shooting 44.8% and averaging 17.9 points for the Fighting Illini. Mirkovic is averaging 17.3 points over the last 10 games.

Lazar Djokovic is averaging 13.6 points and 5.4 rebounds for the Rams. Terrence Hill Jr. is averaging 16.1 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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