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*CBB(1.5u): Cincinnati 1H TT UNDER 30(-120) vs Illinois–5:30 PM CT
Illinois has the best defense in College Basketball according to KenPom; they’ve shown nothing to dispel that notion to this point in the season. While allowing 67 points to Marquette isn’t eye-opening, they allowed just 28 points in the 1st Half before melting down in the second half on the offensive side of the floor and surrendering some fluky buckets. Cincinnati is a brand name program, but I don’t rate them as a serious tournament contender this season. They have the 133rd best offense in the country according to KenPom and don’t go at an overly fast pace that could catch the Illini off guard. Illinois star C Kofi Cockburn will rejoin the team tonight for his first appearance of the season; his presence down low should make it even tougher for the Bearcats to get points in the paint. Because Cockburn’s return could mess up the rhythm of the Illini offense, I think the best play in this game is the TT Under on the Cincinnati side in the first half.
