KVSP 
Who’s Playing
Chattanooga @ Illinois
Regular Season Records: Chattanooga 27-7; Illinois 22-9
What to Know
The #19 Illinois Fighting Illini and the Chattanooga Mocs are set to clash at 6:50 p.m. ET March 18 at PPG Paints Arena in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Fighting Illini will be seeking to avenge the 81-77 loss they suffered the last time these two teams played Nov. 21 of 2015.
It was close but no cigar for Illinois as they fell 65-63 to the Indiana Hoosiers last Friday. Guard Alfonso Plummer wasn’t much of a difference maker for Illinois; Plummer finished with only six points on 2-for-12 shooting in his 34 minutes on the court.
Speaking of close games: the Furman Paladins typically have all the answers at home, but last week Chattanooga proved too difficult a challenge. Chattanooga skirted by Furman 64-63 thanks to a clutch half-court bomb from guard David Jean-Baptiste as the clock expired. Having forecasted a close win for the Mocs, the oddsmakers were right on the money. Among those leading the charge for them was forward Silvio De Sousa, who dropped a double-double on 17 points and 14 rebounds.
Chattanooga’s victory lifted them to 27-7 while Illinois’ loss dropped them down to 22-9. We’ll see if Chattanooga can repeat their recent success or if the Fighting Illini bounce back and reverse their fortune.
How To Watch
- When: Friday at 6:50 p.m. ET
- Where: PPG Paints Arena — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- TV: TNT
- Follow: CBS Sports App
Series History
Chattanooga won the only game these two teams have played in the last eight years.
- Nov 21, 2015 – Chattanooga 81 vs. Illinois 77
