Illinois vs UConn predictions: Who will win in Final Four, play for national championship?

A Final Four undercard? Don't undersell UConn vs. Illinois.

The teams are equally matched, and with a 1.5-point spread expect a close game.

The Huskies are going for their third national championship in four years, while the Fighting Illini are in their first Final Four since 2005 and looking for their first basketball title.

UConn's experience on this stage may give it an advantage come Saturday night.

"We don't hang banners for Final Fours at UConn. We hang National Championship banners," Huskies coach Dan Hurley said. "If you want to hang a banner, you've got to get your eyes off social media, get your face out of the phone and get locked in on Illinois because Illinois is one of the best teams in the country and they're as big a threat to winning this tournament as any of the four teams."

This is a rematch of a Nov. 28 game at Madison Square Garden. UConn won, 74-61, but that was before Keaton Wagler became the Keaton Wagler NBA scouts are circling (he played just 14 minutes and scored three points). UConn's standout freshman Braylon Mullins came off the bench, playing just 10 minutes.

A lot can happen in four months.

So who wins Saturday night? Here are our predictions.

UConn vs Illinois predictions

• Blake Toppmeyer: Illinois. Credit UConn for incredible comeback, but don't overlook Illinois. The Illini looked dominant coming out of the South, and they have enough offense to turn back a clutch UConn team.
• John Brice: UConn. How could anyone pick against Dan Hurley’s squad at this point? Hurley’s now 18-1 in his past three March Madness appearances. The Huskies will play for a third crown in four seasons.
• Paul Myerberg: UConn. The backcourt play and just enough beef up front to repeat November's 13-point win against the Illini in MSG. And after the miracle comeback against Duke, the Huskies feel like a team of destiny.
• Jordan Mendoza: UConn. The Huskies ride the high of the Elite Eight comeback and the 3-point shot returns to advanced to the national championship again.
• Eddie Timanus: UConn. I would have to be a complete idiot to pick against UConn at this phase of the Big Dance. We seen ‘team of destiny’ shots in the Elite Eight before, haven’t we?
• Matt Glenesk: Illinois. I originally picked UConn, but have changed my mind. There's something about Illinois' offensive firepower and wave of big bodies they can throw at opponents that has me convinced of an All-Big Ten national championship.
• John Leuzzi: UConn. When these two met in late November at Madison Square Garden, UConn won by 13. While the margin of victory may not be like that this time around, the Huskies do get their second win of the season against the Illini. Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban continue to have big games, while Braylon Mullins delivers a big-time shot in front of the home crowd. UConn’s defense is looking like a top 5 unit again.
• Brent Schrotenboer: UConn. That ending against Duke makes it look like destiny is calling again, at least for one more game.
• Craig Meyer: UConn. The Illini haven't just won on their way to their first Final Four in 21 years, but they've been dominant, winning each of their four tournament games by at least 10 points. They've only played one team better than a No. 9 seed, though, and the more battle-tested Huskies will be able to lean on Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban to pull out a close win. One thing to keep in mind with Illinois: no team has ever lost its first conference tournament game, like the Illini did against Wisconsin in the Big Ten tournament, and gone on to win the national championship.
• Ehsan Kassim: Illinois. UConn has required surviving two scares to reach this point. Illinois on the other hand has been dominant in the South Region. Give me the Illini.

UConn vs Illinois betting odds: Who is favored to win?

Odds provided by BetMGM.

• Moneyline: Illinois (-135); UConn (+110)
• Spread: Illinois (-1.5)
• Over/under total: 139.5

What time is Illinois vs UConn Final Four game?

• Time: 6:09 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 4.

What channel is UConn vs Illinois? How to watch Final Four, streaming info

• The game is airing on TBS, TNT, truTV, streaming via HBO Max.