Illinois at UNLV

I don't think the oddsmakers got this one right. It is rare to see a conference not among the big six posted as a favorite vs. a major conference team, especially when they managed to finish third in their own conference. Illinois finished tied for fourth in a much stronger conference from top to bottom. It isn't only what Illinois did in the Big-10 it is also what they did in a tough out-of-conference schedule. That performance included wins vs. Gonzaga, Maryland and North Carolina, and an overtime loss to Texas. UNLV was 0-4 vs. the pair of MWC teams BYU and San Diego State that are the caliber of Big-10 teams. Illinois covers here.