Illinois vs Houston: Sweet 16 Showdown

0:00On March 25, Illinois basketball is just hours away from tipping off against Houston in the Sweet 16. The Alini have staged an unexpected run this season after heavy off-season changes. Coach Brad Underwood rebuilt the roster with international talent, new recruits, and a handful of veterans, and now they're peaking at the right time, eyeing a spot in the Elite 8. Both teams love firing from beyond the arc, with Illinois averaging more than 30 attempts per game at a solid 35% clip. Houston keeps pace, launching plenty of threes too, so expect a barrage from deep. The key will be Illinois guards locking down on switches and screens to contest those shots without fouling. Fans are buzzing about this match-up, especially since few pick the Alini to go this far. The program's turnaround under Underwood has sparked real excitement in Champagne, turning skeptics into believers as the team gels in March. To pull ahead, look for Illinois to lean on 7-foot-one-center Thomas Lavavisik inside

1:00the paint. He's got the size and soft touch to dominate if Houston focuses on the perimeter. Plus, the bench battle favors the Alini, with deep front court options like his brother and a strong wing coming off the pine against Houston's. Thinner reserves. If Illinois controls the three-point line, pounds the ball inside, and gets solid bench minutes, they can advance. This one's got all the makings of a classic tournament thriller.