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Houston Cougars square off against the Illinois Fighting Illini in Sweet 16

By The Associated Press

Illinois Fighting Illini (26-8, 15-6 Big Ten) vs. Houston Cougars (30-6, 16-5 Big 12)

Houston; Thursday, 10:05 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cougars -2.5; over/under is 139.5

BOTTOM LINE: No. 5 Houston takes on No. 13 Illinois in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Cougars have gone 16-5 against Big 12 opponents, with a 14-1 record in non-conference play. Houston is 1-2 in one-possession games.

The Fighting Illini’s record in Big Ten play is 15-6. Illinois ranks sixth in college basketball with 37.9 rebounds per game led by David Mirkovic averaging 7.9.

Houston scores 77.5 points, 8.1 more per game than the 69.4 Illinois gives up. Illinois averages 11.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 4.2 more made shots on average than the 6.8 per game Houston allows.

TOP PERFORMERS: Kingston Flemings is shooting 47.8% and averaging 16.2 points for the Cougars. Emanuel Sharp is averaging 12.5 points over the last 10 games.

Keaton Wagler is shooting 45.0% and averaging 17.8 points for the Fighting Illini. Ben Humrichous is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Cougars: 7-3, averaging 76.5 points, 34.1 rebounds, 12.5 assists, 6.6 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 63.9 points per game.

Fighting Illini: 6-4, averaging 85.3 points, 36.3 rebounds, 14.8 assists, 4.0 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 72.9 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Cheryl Reeve steps away from the WNBA grind for a Hall of Fame induction

By The Associated Press
Cheryl Reeve is taking a break from her busy WNBA season to head to Knoxville this weekend and be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. She's only the second WNBA coach to enter the Hall of Fame, joining former Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor, who was inducted in 2001. “(I appreciate) the magnitude of this recognition of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and the great work that has gone into this institution,” Reeve said. “To walk around and see the history of how much has been done years before I could ever have this opportunity to coach. Grateful to the WNBA because I think there was some consideration given schedule wise.” Reeve will be joined by WNBA greats Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne in this year's class. Parker and Delle Donne also will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame later this year. Other inductees include ESPN broadcaster Doris Burke, Kirkwood Community College coach Kim Muhl, Spanish star Amaya Valdemoro, French great Isabelle Fijalkowski and Clemson's all-time leading scorer and rebounder, Barbara Kennedy-Dixon.
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