They also beat Louisville by 14. and the week before, they lost to murray state by 30. this is a game that illinois should win by a comfortable margin, but stranger things have happened and i'm not too impressed with the illini this year, so whatever. They also went to the Sweet 16 last season. It isn't like you are playing one of the play-in game teams. I'd still take Illinois to win but I think expecting a blowout in a game like this is setting yourself up for disappointment as crazy as the first two days of the tournament can get. Just be happy for whatever kind of win you get. :hello: they aren't the same team at all, though. and believe me, i'm not ever setting myself up for disappointment when it comes to any of my sports teams.