Illinois vs. Kentucky Prediction, Odds, Picks - NCAA Tournament Second Round

Updated Mar. 23, 2025 3:27 p.m. ET

Data Skrive

The No. 6 seed Illinois Fighting Illini (22-12) try to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16 in an NCAA Tournament second-round matchup against the No. 3 seed Kentucky Wildcats (23-11) on Sunday at Fiserv Forum, beginning at 5:15 p.m. ET.

NCAA BK

NCAA TOURNMENT - SECOND ROUND

Illinois Fighting Illini ILL

The Fighting Illini are only a 1.5-point favorite against the Wildcats when the Fighting Illini and Wildcats play in a game projected to be a hard-fought matchup. The game features an over/under of 167.5.

Continue reading to get everything you need to know ahead of placing bets on the Illinois-Kentucky matchup.

Illinois vs. Kentucky Game Information & Odds

When: Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. ET
Where: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
How to watch on TV: CBS
Live boxscore on FOX Sports

Fighting Illini vs Wildcats Betting Information
Favorite	Spread	Favorite Spread Odds	Underdog Spread Odds	Total	Over Total Odds	Under Total Odds	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline
Fighting Illini	-1.5	-125	-105	167.5	-110	-110	-135	+114

Illinois vs. Kentucky Prediction

Pick ATS: Kentucky (+1.5)
Pick OU: Under (167.5)
Prediction: Illinois 81, Kentucky 80

Learn more about the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. the Kentucky Wildcats game on FOX Sports!

Illinois vs. Kentucky Betting Insights

Betting Line Implied Predictions

Based on the spread and over/under, the implied score for the encounter is Fighting Illini 84, Wildcats 83.
The Fighting Illini have a 57.4% chance to claim victory in this game based on the moneyline's implied probability.
The Wildcats sit with a 46.7% implied probability to come out on top.

Key Spread Facts

Illinois has won 17 games against the spread this season, while failing to cover 15 times.
Kentucky has won 17 games against the spread this year, while failing to cover or pushing 16 times.
When playing as at least 1.5-point favorites this season, Illinois has an ATS record of 14-11.
When playing as at least 1.5-point underdogs this year, Kentucky has an ATS record of 7-4.

Key Total Facts

Fighting Illini games have finished with more than 167.5 points eight times so far this year.
So far this year, 13 Wildcats games have featured over 167.5 points scored.
These teams score 168.9 points per game combined, higher than the over/under for this matchup by 1.4.

Key Moneyline Facts

Illinois has been the moneyline favorite 23 times this season. They've finished 17-6 in those games.
Kentucky has been underdogs in 11 games this season and won six (54.5%) of those contests.
When it has played as a moneyline favorite with odds of -135 or shorter, Illinois has a record of 17-6 (73.9% win percentage).
This season, Kentucky has won six of its 11 games, or 54.5%, when it is the underdog by at least +114 on the moneyline.

Illinois Fighting Illini

ILL

Kentucky Wildcats

Illinois vs. Kentucky: 2024-25 Stats Comparison

	Illinois	Kentucky
Points Scored Per Game (Rank)	83.9 (9)	85 (6)
Points Allowed (Rank)	74.6 (258)	77.3 (315)
Rebounds (Rank)	11.7 (17)	8.5 (209)
3pt Made (Rank)	9.4 (46)	9.6 (36)
Assists (Rank)	14.9 (84)	17 (15)
Turnovers (Rank)	11.4 (213)	10.5 (118)

Illinois 2024-25 Key Players

Fighting Illini Leaders
Name	GP	PTS	REB	ASST	STL	BLK	3PM
Kasparas Jakucionis	32	15	5.7	4.8	0.9	0.3	1.6
Will Riley	34	12.8	4.1	2.3	0.3	0.3	1.4
Tomislav Ivisic	31	12.8	7.7	2.2	0.5	1.1	1.6
Kylan Boswell	34	12	4.9	3.3	1.1	0.3	1
Tre White	30	10.9	5.6	0.8	0.4	0.4	0.8

Kentucky 2024-25 Key Players

Wildcats Leaders
Name	GP	PTS	REB	ASST	STL	BLK	3PM
Otega Oweh	34	16.4	4.7	1.8	1.6	0.5	0.8
Jaxson Robinson	24	13	3.5	1.7	0.6	0.5	2.6
Koby Brea	34	11.5	3.1	1.4	0.5	0.3	2.6
Lamont Butler	25	11	2.7	4.3	1.5	0.2	0.8
Amari Williams	34	10.9	8.6	3.1	0.5	1.2	0