NCAAB March Madness Final Four Illinois vs. UConn Betting Odds & Game Picks

As it always does, the Madness of March has gone by in a flash. We didn’t get any Cinderellas this year, but the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament did deliver thrilling finishes on more than a few occasions in 2026. And one of the teams that has benefitted most from the Madness will be opening up Final Four weekend on Saturday, April 4 at 6:10 p.m.

That team is the No. 2 UConn Huskies, who won their Elite Eight matchup against Duke with an unconscionable buzzer beater. The winners of the East Region take on the winners of the South Region, the No. 3 Illinois Fighting Illini.

This one is too close for Vegas to call: March Madness betting sites are touting this as a pick ‘em, with Illinois coming in as the very slight favorite despite the fact that UConn is a higher seed—and a two-time reigning and defending champion. Read on for our best bets and game picks for the Final Four tilt as well as the top betting odds this side of the border!

March Madness - No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 2 UConn - Final Four - Saturday, April 3, 6:10 p.m.

All odds provided by Betway.

Illinois vs. UConn Spread/Moneyline Prediction

Illinois is coming into this game on the back of four straight double-digit wins in the tournament, all of which saw them cover the spread. However, taking on Dan Hurley’s guys is going to be a different beast. They fought hard for wins over Iowa and Houston, but UConn and their championship pedigree pose an altogether different challenge for the Fighting Illini.

Illinois has the better offense here. They are a sweet shooting team. But Hurley’s Huskies like to make it ugly and dirty and tough. That’s how they beat Michigan State in the Sweet 16, and that’s how they beat the Illini back in November.

Illinois has improved markedly throughout this season, but we think the strategy should still pay dividends. UConn’s ability to limit Illinois on the offensive boards could be the catalyst to an upset here, as they allow just 8.0 per game. However, rather than go all in and take the Huskies’ +115 moneyline, we’re going to play it safe by actually buying a couple of points. We’ve been burned one too many times.

Best Bet: UConn Huskies Alternative +3.5 Point Spread (-155)

Illinois vs. UConn Over/Under Prediction

Both of these teams have been hitting a ton of unders all season, but especially recently. The Huskiers have hit the under in two of their last three games and four of six, Illinois has done so in three straight and five of eight. If this game turns into a half-court, low-possession game like we expect UConn to try to make it, we should have no problem hitting the mark on this one. The last time these two played in November, the total landed at 135 points.

Best Bet: Game Total Points Under 140.5 (-135)