Illinois vs Penn: NCAA Tournament Preview, Time, TV & Odds 2024
Illinois Faces Penn in First Round of NCAA Tournament
No. 3 seed Illinois (24-8) will face No. 14 seed Penn (18-11) in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. The game is scheduled to tip off at 9:25 PM EST and will be broadcast nationally on TNT, with Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill, and Tracy Wolfson on the call.
The Illini enter the tournament having lost five of their last nine games, including a 91-88 overtime defeat to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals. Despite the recent struggles, Illinois boasts a strong overall profile, currently ranked seventh on KenPom. Their offensive efficiency is particularly noteworthy, ranking second nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency, while their defense sits at 28th nationally.
This marks Illinois’ 36th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance, the 18th-most among all schools and the fifth-most among Big Ten programs. They have secured a spot in the tournament in six consecutive years, placing them among just ten schools to achieve that feat. Historically, the Illini have a 46-36 record in NCAA Tournament games, with 46 wins tied for 20th most all-time and third among schools still seeking their first national championship, trailing only Purdue and Gonzaga.
As a No. 3 seed, Illinois holds a 6-4 record in the NCAA Tournament, and they are 3-2 against No. 14 seeds. When favored in the tournament as the higher seed, they are 34-16. Head coach Brad Underwood has a 6-5 record in the NCAA Tournament during his tenure at Illinois, highlighted by an Elite Eight appearance in 2024. His overall tournament record stands at 8-9, including successful Round of 64 victories at Stephen F. Austin in both 2014 and 2016.
Illinois holds a perfect 6-0 all-time record against Penn, with their last meeting occurring in 2001, an 78-71 Illini victory. They also defeated the Quakers 68-58 in the opening round of the 2000 NCAA Tournament.
Penn, under the leadership of first-year head coach Fran McCaffery – who is returning to his alma mater after 15 seasons at Iowa – secured their tournament berth by defeating top-seeded Yale 88-84 in overtime in the Ivy League championship game. McCaffery is now one of only five head coaches all-time to lead five different programs to the NCAA Tournament. He currently ranks 11th among active Division I coaches with 566 career wins.
The Quakers’ path to the tournament wasn’t without its challenges. They are 0-3 against high-major opponents this season, falling by 25 points to Providence, 27 points to Villanova, and a narrow one-point margin to Rutgers. Still, the Ivy League champion has demonstrated recent success in the tournament, winning at least one game in two of the last three tournaments and six of their last 14 appearances dating back to 2010. Penn’s last tournament victory came in 1994.
Penn’s preparation for the game has been complicated by injury and illness. Leading scorer Ethan Roberts (16.9 PPG) is out for the NCAA Tournament due to concussion symptoms. Adding to the uncertainty, second-leading scorer TJ Power (16.8 PPG) is a game-time decision due to an illness, although Coach McCaffery expressed optimism on Wednesday that Power would be available to play.
The betting line reflects Illinois’ significant advantage, with the Illini favored by 25.5 points. The over/under for the game is set at 150.5 points, and Illinois has a 18-14 record against the spread this season.
Despite their recent form, Illinois’ offensive firepower and tournament experience make them a formidable opponent. Penn, however, has proven capable of upsetting higher-seeded teams, as evidenced by their Ivy League championship victory. The availability of TJ Power will be a key factor for the Quakers, as his performance could significantly impact their chances of pulling off an upset. The game promises to be an intriguing matchup between a high-powered offensive team in Illinois and a determined Penn squad looking to make its mark on the tournament stage.