Illinois Fighting Illini vs Florida Atlantic Owls Match Preview – Players to Watch, Head to Head, and Prediction

The Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. is on a roll, averaging his career’s highest 20 points in the seven matches he has played so far. The 6-feet-6-inch guard has touched double figures in points in all his matches with the highest 24 points coming against the Southern Jaguars.

He also grabbed 10 rebounds in a contest with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, achieving his first double-double of the season. Overall, Shannon has a respectable field goal percentage of 51.1% and a free throw percentage of 71.8%. But in an upcoming match between Illini and Owls, he isn’t the only player hogging headlines.

Players to Watch

Another player to watch from the Illini roster is their 6-feet-9-inch forward Dain Dainja. Dainja is quite lethal particularly because of his height that helps him perform well in both the offense and defense. Dainja averages a decent 9.4 points with 5.1 rebounds per match.

Some of his outstanding performances have come in the matches against the Valparaiso Beacons, Southern Jaguars and the Western Illinois Leathernecks when he basketed 16, 12 and 16 points. The Florida Atlantic Owls will have to contain him if they want to win the match.

The Florida Atlantic Owls guard Alijah Martin will be at the forefront of the clash. He has been averaging a considerable 13.5 points with 5.1 rebounds per match. The last five games have been particularly fruitful since he tipped in double figures while scoring. Riding on his heroics, the Owls have only lost one match.

The Owls center Vladislav Goldin has been having the time of his life this NCAA season. He averages 15.4 points with 7.1 rebounds per game. Overall, Goldin has performed exceptionally well and taken full advantage of his tall height.

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He has smashed three double-doubles in the eight matches he has played so far with his highest 19 points coming against the Butler Bulldogs, Eastern Michigan Eagles, and Loyola Chicago Ramblers. If the Fighting Illini want to win this game they will have to contain Goldin.  

Head to Head

As per CBS Sports, the Florida Atlantic Owls have been at loggerheads with the Illinois Fighting Illini for a solitary time, and that too in December, 2018. The Owls had edged past the Fighting Illini then by a narrow margin of 73-71.

Nonetheless, the match is highly anticipated since both the teams are ranked and a force to reckon with. It is a good chance for the Illini who are ranked lower than their rivals to turn the game and get the much-needed redemption.

Prediction

The FAU have a better offensive score average than the Fighting Illini, and they are expected to carry on their on-song performance even in this match.

The Illini are ranked lower, but since the FAU have won their last few games, a comprehensive strategy by the Illini can break their offensive plans with the match swinging in the Illinois’ favor.

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An edge-of-the-seat thriller nonetheless has been promised for the NCAA fans who will also be watching the game between the Huskies and Tar Heels.