Illinois Faces Resilient Xavier in NCAA Tournament Opener

The Illini aim to overcome offensive struggles while the Musketeers look to build on their comeback win against Texas in Milwaukee tonight.

Illinois enters the matchup after a lopsided loss to Maryland in the Big Ten quarterfinals, highlighting their recent inconsistency.
Xavier advanced to the first round with a dramatic comeback victory over Texas, fueled by Marcus Foster's standout 22-point performance.
Rebounding could be a key factor, with Illinois ranking No. 2 nationally in rebounds per game and No. 6 in rebound margin.
Xavier has struggled in road and neutral-site games this season, holding a 7-9 record in such environments.
This marks the first NCAA Tournament meeting between Illinois and Xavier, with the all-time series tied at two wins apiece.