The sixth-seeded
Illinois Fighting Illini (22-12) and third-seeded
Kentucky Wildcats (23-11) meet in an NCAA Tournament second-round game in the Midwest Region Sunday. Tip-off from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. ET (CBS). Let’s analyze
BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the
Illinois vs. Kentucky odds , and make our expert
college basketball picks and predictions . No. 6 seed Illinois impressed in its first-round win Friday night, defeating the No. 11 seed Xavier Musketeers 86-73. The Fighting Illini covered as 4-point favorites, while the Under (162) hit. This marked their eighth NCAA Tournament victory since 2011. F
Will Riley led the team with 22 points, going 3-for-4 from deep. C
Tomislav Ivisic added a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, helping Illinois advance to the next round. No. 3 seed Kentucky pulled away in the second half to secure a 76-57 win over the 14th-seeded Troy Trojans Friday night, covering as an 11-point favorite. The Under (152) cashed. Leading scorer, G
Otega Oweh , had 20 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. The Wildcats now set their sights on reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2019.
Illinois vs. Kentucky odds
Provided by
BetMGM Sportsbook ; access
USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 5:01 p.m. ET.
Illinois vs. Kentucky picks and predictions
Prediction
BET ILLINOIS (
-130 ). This NCAA Tournament matchup is as even as it gets. Both teams light it up offensively, with Kentucky averaging 85.0 points per game (PPG) and Illinois right behind at 83.9. Both also push the pace, ranking inside the top 25 in tempo, with Illinois playing slightly faster. Illinois has a +317 scoring differential this season, outscoring opponents by 9.3 PPG. It also dominates the glass, leading the nation with 39.7 rebounds per game while holding opponents to just 30.0. While the team may be young, coach Brad Underwood isn’t concerned, saying, “We’re not freshmen anymore.” G
Kasparas Jakucionis has stepped up, averaging 15.0 PPG and 5.7 rebounds, while Ivisic controls the paint. Kentucky relies heavily on the 3-ball, hitting 10 of 26 in its opener and averaging 9.6 per game. But if those shots aren’t falling, it could spell trouble against an Illinois squad that holds opponents to just 33.5% from deep. The Wildcats have also struggled to cover, going 3-5 ATS in their last 8 games, while Illinois has covered 5 of its last 6 outings. With its rebounding edge and perimeter defense, Illinois has a great shot at punching its ticket to the Sweet 16 for the second straight year.
PASS . There’s no real advantage to playing with the spread in this game, as the books basically see this as a pick’em.
BET UNDER 170.5 (
-115 ). Even with 2 high-powered offenses, this total feels a bit too high. Both Kentucky and Illinois have stayed Under in their last 2 games, and while they can score, their defenses shouldn’t be overlooked. Kentucky allows 77.3 PPG, while Illinois gives up 74.6. With a Sweet 16 berth on the line, expect enough defensive intensity to keep the total in check.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now ! For more sports betting picks and tips , check out
SportsbookWire.com and
BetFTW .
Follow @DrewPhelps05 on Twitter/X . Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook .
More
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice. Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
