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00:00Really good matchup today for the Musketeers out of the Big
00:03East, taking on Illinois, the 6-11 matchup in the Midwest
00:09region. As we look at this game, DRS three and a half points
00:12spread in favor of the Illini. And everybody pay attention to
00:14that total 159 and a half. How much offense are you
00:19anticipating in this game between the Illini and the
00:21Musketeers?
00:22We're expecting a lot of offense here and the shotmakers all the
00:25way around. You want some decent tempo, both teams will play at
00:28it. You want some three-point shots to be shot. These teams do
00:30like to shoot. However, when looking at one little setup,
00:33which is going to decide this game for me, you take a look at
00:36Xavier's offense, sixth in the nation at making the three-point
00:39shot at close to 40% as a team. You look at Illinois' defense,
00:43they'll defend it quite well. But how about this? Third in the
00:45nation at chasing you off of that three-point line. So it's
00:49like that battle of attrition. Because understand this, Xavier
00:52is not built like we talk about, like a BYU, hey, bomb away, if
00:55you make them, there's nothing they can do. They're pretty
00:57judicious from the three-point range here, only 206 in the
00:59country at volume, which means they're not forcing it. So
01:02they're taking the open shot. But how many of those open shots
01:05are going to be available is the question for me. I like Illinois
01:08in this game. Now they are the favorite. My MO is usually take
01:11the points and pray. In my bracket, I have Illinois
01:14Advancing. It's one of those where I do think we get a great
01:17total here. But also, do you get that effect where Xavier played
01:21so well in game number one? Coming into this game where
01:23Illinois hasn't played here yet in the dance. Does that make
01:27up a difference here? And also, is Xavier going to translate
01:29that great shooting into this environment? We'll find that
01:32out. A great game, a fun game, and maybe the best game to
01:35watch overall if you're looking to bet profits. Why? Because of
01:37how high that total is. I can't wait to watch it play out. And
01:40the key, once again, is that three-point line for Xavier and
01:43how many shots they get a chance to knock off Illinois when
01:46they'll chase you right off that three-point line.