Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesCan anyone stop the reigning champion Connecticut Huskies?
So far, no one has come close to slowing down Danny Hurley's team.
UConn obliterated the San Diego State Aztecs in the Sweet 16 to move one step away from a repeat Final Four appearance and three wins away from the first repeat national title since the Florida Gators in 2006 and 2007.
Everything seems to be going perfect for the Huskies, which is why many people will pick them to cruise into the Final Four.
The Illinois Fighting Illini rank second in offensive adjusted efficiency on KenPom and have one of the most dynamic shot makers left in the field in Terrance Shannon Jr.
The Illini will go in as the clear underdog and that may help them prepare for Saturday's clash in Boston, which will feel like a true road game.
"In my 16 years of covering this, I don't think I can remember an Elite 8 team as loose as Illinois is right now," Dauster said.
But it does not seem like many people will pick Illinois to down UConn, even if Shannon goes off. The Athletic polled five of its writers on the game and everyone picked the Huskies.
That speaks to UConn's total dominance of the NCAA tournament in the last two years, and even if Shannon goes off, it can slow down other parts of the Illinois offense to break away.
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