Sports

Illinois Fighting Illini (26-8, 15-6 Big Ten) vs. Houston Cougars (30-6, 16-5 Big 12)

Houston; Thursday, 10:05 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cougars -2.5; over/under is 139.5

BOTTOM LINE: No. 5 Houston takes on No. 13 Illinois in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Cougars' record in Big 12 play is 16-5, and their record is 14-1 in non-conference play. Houston is 1-2 in one-possession games.

The Fighting Illini's record in Big Ten games is 15-6. Illinois is 116th in college basketball averaging 11.0 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 35.0% from deep. Keaton Wagler leads the team averaging 2.4 makes while shooting 40.8% from 3-point range.

Houston makes 45.1% of its shots from the field this season, which is 4.2 percentage points higher than Illinois has allowed to its opponents (40.9%). Illinois scores 22.4 more points per game (84.7) than Houston gives up to opponents (62.3).

TOP PERFORMERS: Kingston Flemings is averaging 16.2 points, 5.2 assists and 1.6 steals for the Cougars. Emanuel Sharp is averaging 12.5 points over the past 10 games.

David Mirkovic is averaging 13.6 points and 7.9 rebounds for the Fighting Illini. Ben Humrichous is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Cougars: 7-3, averaging 76.5 points, 34.1 rebounds, 12.5 assists, 6.6 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 63.9 points per game.

Fighting Illini: 6-4, averaging 85.3 points, 36.3 rebounds, 14.8 assists, 4.0 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 72.9 points.

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

Arkansas Razorbacks (28-8, 16-5 SEC) vs. Arizona Wildcats (34-2, 19-2 Big 12)

San Jose, California; Thursday, 9:45 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Wildcats -7.5; over/under is 166.5

BOTTOM LINE: No. 2 Arizona plays No. 14 Arkansas in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Wildcats are 19-2 against Big 12 opponents and 15-0 in non-conference play. Arizona leads the Big 12 in rebounding, averaging 40.2 boards. Tobe Awaka paces the Wildcats with 9.3 rebounds.

The Razorbacks' record in SEC action is 16-5. Arkansas is 26-8 against opponents over .500.

Arizona makes 50.0% of its shots from the field this season, which is 4.7 percentage points higher than Arkansas has allowed to its opponents (45.3%). Arkansas scores 21.9 more points per game (90.3) than Arizona allows to opponents (68.4).

TOP PERFORMERS: Brayden Burries is averaging 16 points and 1.5 steals for the Wildcats. Jaden Bradley is averaging 13 points and 3.7 assists over the past 10 games.

Darius Acuff Jr. is shooting 44.6% from beyond the arc with 2.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Razorbacks, while averaging 23.3 points and 6.5 assists. Meleek Thomas is shooting 44.3% and averaging 16.2 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Wildcats: 10-0, averaging 81.8 points, 38.9 rebounds, 14.0 assists, 5.3 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 68.0 points per game.

Razorbacks: 9-1, averaging 91.5 points, 33.7 rebounds, 17.5 assists, 7.3 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 49.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 86.0 points.

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