Illinois has heard the noise all week — now it’s time to prove everyone wrong against UConn

Illinois has heard the noise all week — now it’s time to prove everyone wrong against UConn originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Illinois has done everything right this March.

The wins are there. The numbers back it up. The eye test confirms it.

And yet, heading into the Final Four, many are still picking against them. That disconnect has created a rare moment where one of the most complete teams left is also one of the most doubted. Now comes the part that defines everything.

The strange reality: Illinois is the favorite, but not the pick There’s something almost hard to wrap your head around with this matchup. Illinois has looked like the better team throughout the tournament. They’ve controlled games, avoided long scoring droughts, and consistently dictated how opponents have to play.