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The five seed Fighting Illini are set to take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Thursday night at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. The South Region game is set to tip off at 9:55pm ET and will be broadcast live on CBS. The winner will advance to play either Gonzaga or Akron on March 21st.

Western Kentucky vs Illinois March Madness Bracket Picks at BetUS.com have the Fighting Illini listed as a -4.5 against the spread favorite.

Western Kentucky won the regular season Sun Belt crown this year with a 15-3 league record and a 24-8 overall mark. The Hilltoppers, who might have made the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team, solidified a bid by winning the Sun Belt tournament last Tuesday with a 64-56 win over South Alabama.

The Hilltoppers, who are listed at +1800 moneyline odds to make the Sweet 16 and +8000 moneyline odds to win the South Region, have won 15 of their last 17 games. They have four players that average double figures in scoring, led by guard A.J. Slaughter at 15.8 per outing.

Illinois had a great regular season, going 24-9 overall and 11-7 in Big 10 action, but they have faltered some down the stretch. The Fighting Illini have dropped four of their last seven games, including a 56-66 loss against Purdue in the semifinals of the Big 10 tournament. Bruce Weber's squad concluded the season in third place in the conference standings.

The Fighting Illini, who have held opponents to an average of 56.6 points per game, are listed at +275 moneyline odds to reach the Sweet 16. Illinois is led by guard Demetri McCamey who averages 11.5 points and 4.6 assists per game. McCamey is one of three Illini starters to average double figures in scoring.

BetUS.com's Western Kentucky vs Illinois March Madness Bracket Picks:

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers +4.5 (-110), Over 125 (-110), +165 (Moneyline)

Illinois Fighting Illini -4.5 (-110), Under 125 (-110), -200 (Moneyline)

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