VCU Rams vs Illinois Fighting Illini – College Basketball Preview – Mar 21, 2026

The VCU Rams will go against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament’s second round. This game is set to take place at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC. Fans can tune in on CBS at 7:50 PM ET on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

VCU holds the 11th seed and comes from the Atlantic 10 Conference. They ended the regular season with a strong 27-7 record. The Illinois Fighting Illini, ranked 13th in the AP poll, enter as a 3rd seed from the Big Ten Conference. They finished their regular season with a 24-8 record.

VCU Rams Team Preview

VCU Rams had a solid regular season in 2026 with a 27-7 overall record. Their conference record was impressive at 18-3. In the postseason, they averaged 82 points per game, ranking 18th nationally.

Offensively, VCU Rams were efficient with a 45.5% field goal percentage during the postseason. They excelled in three-point shooting, making 42.3% of their attempts. The team also made 11 three-pointers per game, putting them at 13th in the nation.

Defensively, the Rams had 5 steals and 5 blocks per game in the postseason. They kept turnovers low at 10 per game, ranking 33rd. The Rams’ strong defense helped them maintain a competitive edge throughout the season.

Illinois Fighting Illini Team Preview

The Illinois Fighting Illini have a strong offense this season. They score 84.4 points per game, ranking 25th nationally. Their effective field goal percentage is 55.0, placing them 52nd.

The Illini also perform well in three-point shooting. They make 10.9 three-pointers per game, ranking 24th. Additionally, they attempt 31.4 threes per game, which is 28th in the nation.

Defensively, the Illini have room for improvement. They average 3.8 steals per game, placing them 255th. However, they maintain a disciplined approach with only 13.4 fouls per game, ranking them 288th.

Betting Prediction

VCU has been strong in the postseason. They score 82 points per game, which ranks them 18th. Their three-point shooting is also solid, making 11 shots per game. This offense can keep up with Illinois.

Illinois scores 105 points per game in the postseason. They rank 2nd in points and 3rd in three-pointers made. However, VCU’s strong offensive stats in the postseason could help them stay close.

VCU is getting +10.5 points on the spread. Their postseason numbers show they can score and compete. This makes the +10.5 spread a good pick for this game.

• Pick: VCU +10.5