When March rolls around, certain matchups just feel like classic tournament basketball. Sunday’s showdown between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Kentucky Wildcats is one of those games. Game is set for 5:15 p.m. ET at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
Illinois vs. Kentucky NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
As of Saturday night, the oddsmakers have this one pegged as a tight contest. Kentucky is favored by a slim margin, with the spread hovering around 1.5 points. The over/under is set at 170.5, reflecting the offensive capabilities both teams bring to the floor.
Tempo: Illinois thrives in an up-tempo game, pushing the ball and capitalizing on transition opportunities. Kentucky, however, excels in half-court sets and may look to slow the pace to disrupt the Illini’s flow.
Perimeter Play: Both teams have sharpshooters capable of changing the game’s complexion. Defending the three-point line will be crucial for both sides.
Experience vs. Youth: Illinois relies on the youthful exuberance of players like Riley, while Kentucky’s roster features seasoned veterans. The battle between fresh legs and experienced minds could be pivotal.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois enters this matchup with a 22-12 record, fresh off an 86-73 victory over Xavier. The Illini are led by freshman sensation Will Riley, who poured in 22 points in the first-round win. Alongside him, Lithuanian standout Kasparas Jakucionis has been a force, showcasing his versatility and scoring ability. Head coach Brad Underwood emphasizes a fast-paced offense, and his team’s depth allows for relentless pressure on both ends of the court.
Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky, boasting a 23-11 record, advanced after a convincing 76-57 win over Troy. Under the guidance of head coach Mark Pope, the Wildcats have found their rhythm late in the season. Guard Lamont Butler orchestrates the offense with precision, while forward Amari Williams provides a strong presence in the paint. Kentucky’s defense has been particularly stingy, often dictating the tempo and forcing opponents into uncomfortable positions.
March Madness Prediction: Who Will Win Illinois vs. Kentucky?
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FIGHTING ILLINI
75 -
WILDCATS
72
Score
Prediction
Line History
No odds are available yet.
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Fighting Illini Team Leaders
| Points |
Kasparas Jakucionis 15.17 |
| Assists |
Kasparas Jakucionis 4.83 |
| Rebounds |
Tomislav Ivisic 7.64 |
| FG% |
Morez Johnson Jr. 66.7 |
| Steals |
Kylan Boswell 1.19 |
| Blocks |
Morez Johnson Jr. 1.12 |
| Points |
16.16 |
| Assists |
4.39 |
| Rebounds |
8.68 |
| FG% |
58 |
| Steals |
1.65 |
| Blocks |
1.26 |
| Points |
Kylan Boswell 19 |
| Assists |
Kylan Boswell 4 |
| Rebounds |
Tomislav Ivisic 8 |
| FG% |
Kylan Boswell 57.7 |
| Steals |
Kasparas Jakucionis 0.75 |
| Blocks |
Tomislav Ivisic 2 |
| Points |
16.6 |
| Assists |
3.8 |
| Rebounds |
7.4 |
| FG% |
54.5 |
| Steals |
1.8 |
| Blocks |
1.2 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Wildcats Team Leaders
| Points |
Kasparas Jakucionis 15.17 |
| Assists |
Kasparas Jakucionis 4.83 |
| Rebounds |
Tomislav Ivisic 7.64 |
| FG% |
Morez Johnson Jr. 66.7 |
| Steals |
Kylan Boswell 1.19 |
| Blocks |
Morez Johnson Jr. 1.12 |
| Points |
16.16 |
| Assists |
4.39 |
| Rebounds |
8.68 |
| FG% |
58 |
| Steals |
1.65 |
| Blocks |
1.26 |
| Points |
Kylan Boswell 19 |
| Assists |
Kylan Boswell 4 |
| Rebounds |
Tomislav Ivisic 8 |
| FG% |
Kylan Boswell 57.7 |
| Steals |
Kasparas Jakucionis 0.75 |
| Blocks |
Tomislav Ivisic 2 |
| Points |
16.6 |
| Assists |
3.8 |
| Rebounds |
7.4 |
| FG% |
54.5 |
| Steals |
1.8 |
| Blocks |
1.2 |
Injuries
Carey Booth (F)
Tomislav Ivisic (C)
Morez Johnson Jr. (F)
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (G)
Tre White (G)
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (G)
Tomislav Ivisic (C)
Tre White (G)
Tomislav Ivisic (C)
Will Riley (F)
Kerr Kriisa (G)
Jaxson Robinson (G)
Lamont Butler (G)
Lamont Butler (G)
Jaxson Robinson (G)
Jaxson Robinson (G)
Andrew Carr (F)
Lamont Butler (G)
Andrew Carr (F)
Lamont Butler (G)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carey Booth (F) | Questionable | Undisclosed - 07 / 03 / 25 | 4-1 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Booth is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will be available for the next contest. |
|||||
| Tomislav Ivisic (C) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 18 / 02 / 25 | 5-4 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Ivisic is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be in Tuesday's lineup versus Wisconsin. |
|||||
| Morez Johnson Jr. (F) | Out indefinitely | Wrist - 17 / 02 / 25 | 5-4 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Johnson Jr. broke his wrist, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
| Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (G) | Ques Tues | Illness - 10 / 02 / 25 | 6-5 | 7-4 | + - |
|
Gibbs-Lawhorn is ailing with an illness, and it is up in the air if he will take the court against UCLA Bruins on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Tre White (G) | Ques Tues | Illness - 09 / 02 / 25 | 6-5 | 7-4 | + - |
|
White has missed the previous two contests with an illness, and it is unclear if he will suit up against Wisconsin on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (G) | Ques Tues | Illness - 08 / 02 / 25 | 6-6 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Gibbs-Lawhorn is ailing with an illness, and it has yet to be established if he will kit up against the UCLA Bruins on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Tomislav Ivisic (C) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 06 / 02 / 25 | 7-6 | 8-5 | + - |
|
Ivisic is battling with an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will be on court against Minnesota on Saturday. |
|||||
| Tre White (G) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 06 / 02 / 25 | 7-6 | 8-5 | + - |
|
White is nursing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will face Minnesota on Saturday. |
|||||
| Tomislav Ivisic (C) | Ques Sun | Illness - 25 / 01 / 25 | 8-8 | 10-6 | + - |
|
Ivisic is ailing with an illness, and it is undetermined if he will suit up against Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday. |
|||||
| Will Riley (F) | Ques Thurs | Undisclosed - 23 / 01 / 25 | 8-9 | 10-7 | + - |
|
Riley is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will play against Maryland on Thursday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kerr Kriisa (G) | out of season | Foot - 20 / 03 / 25 | 2-1 | 0-3 | + - |
|
Kriisa has been shut down for the remainder of the season due to a fracture foot. |
|||||
| Jaxson Robinson (G) | out for season | Wrist - 01 / 03 / 25 | 4-4 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Robinson suffered a wrist injury, and he will miss the rest of the season. |
|||||
| Lamont Butler (G) | Prob Wed | Shoulder - 12 / 02 / 25 | 7-5 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Butler is battling a shoulder injury, but he is likely to play against Oklahoma Sooners on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Lamont Butler (G) | Prob Tues | Undisclosed - 11 / 02 / 25 | 8-5 | 6-7 | + - |
|
Butler is fighting off an undisclosed injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active against Tennessee Volunteers on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Jaxson Robinson (G) | Ques Wed | Undisclosed - 11 / 02 / 25 | 8-5 | 6-7 | + - |
|
Robinson has missed the last three games battling an undisclosed injury, and it is unknown if he will play against Oklahoma Sooners on Wednesday.. |
|||||
| Jaxson Robinson (G) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 08 / 02 / 25 | 8-6 | 7-7 | + - |
|
Robinson is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will participate against South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday. |
|||||
| Andrew Carr (F) | Prob Sat | Undisclosed - 01 / 02 / 25 | 9-7 | 9-7 | + - |
|
Carr is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and he is likely to be active for the clash against the Arkansas on Saturday. |
|||||
| Lamont Butler (G) | Ques Sat | Shoulder - 28 / 01 / 25 | 9-8 | 9-8 | + - |
|
Butler has been dealing with a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will play against South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday. |
|||||
| Andrew Carr (F) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 24 / 01 / 25 | 9-9 | 10-8 | + - |
|
Carr is managing an undisclosed injury, and it is up in the air if he will take the court against Tennessee on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Lamont Butler (G) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 17 / 01 / 25 | 10-9 | 10-9 | + - |
|
Butler is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play against Alabama on Saturday. |
|||||
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Line History
No odds are available yet.
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Fighting Illini Team Leaders
Points Kasparas Jakucionis
15.17
Assists Kasparas Jakucionis
4.83
Rebounds Tomislav Ivisic
7.64
FG% Morez Johnson Jr.
66.7
Steals Kylan Boswell
1.19
Blocks Morez Johnson Jr.
1.12
Points 16.16
Assists 4.39
Rebounds 8.68
FG% 58
Steals 1.65
Blocks 1.26
Points Kylan Boswell
19
Assists Kylan Boswell
4
Rebounds Tomislav Ivisic
8
FG% Kylan Boswell
57.7
Steals Kasparas Jakucionis
0.75
Blocks Tomislav Ivisic
2
Points 16.6
Assists 3.8
Rebounds 7.4
FG% 54.5
Steals 1.8
Blocks 1.2
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Wildcats Team Leaders
Points Kasparas Jakucionis
15.17
Assists Kasparas Jakucionis
4.83
Rebounds Tomislav Ivisic
7.64
FG% Morez Johnson Jr.
66.7
Steals Kylan Boswell
1.19
Blocks Morez Johnson Jr.
1.12
Points 16.16
Assists 4.39
Rebounds 8.68
FG% 58
Steals 1.65
Blocks 1.26
Points Kylan Boswell
19
Assists Kylan Boswell
4
Rebounds Tomislav Ivisic
8
FG% Kylan Boswell
57.7
Steals Kasparas Jakucionis
0.75
Blocks Tomislav Ivisic
2
Points 16.6
Assists 3.8
Rebounds 7.4
FG% 54.5
Steals 1.8
Blocks 1.2
-
Injuries
Carey Booth (F)
Questionable Undisclosed - 07 / 03 / 25Tomislav Ivisic (C)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 18 / 02 / 25Morez Johnson Jr. (F)
Out indefinitely Wrist - 17 / 02 / 25Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (G)
Ques Tues Illness - 10 / 02 / 25Tre White (G)
Ques Tues Illness - 09 / 02 / 25Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (G)
Ques Tues Illness - 08 / 02 / 25Tomislav Ivisic (C)
Ques Sat Ankle - 06 / 02 / 25Tre White (G)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 06 / 02 / 25Tomislav Ivisic (C)
Ques Sun Illness - 25 / 01 / 25Will Riley (F)
Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 23 / 01 / 25Kerr Kriisa (G)
out of season Foot - 20 / 03 / 25Jaxson Robinson (G)
out for season Wrist - 01 / 03 / 25Lamont Butler (G)
Prob Wed Shoulder - 12 / 02 / 25Lamont Butler (G)
Prob Tues Undisclosed - 11 / 02 / 25Jaxson Robinson (G)
Ques Wed Undisclosed - 11 / 02 / 25Jaxson Robinson (G)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 08 / 02 / 25Andrew Carr (F)
Prob Sat Undisclosed - 01 / 02 / 25Lamont Butler (G)
Ques Sat Shoulder - 28 / 01 / 25Andrew Carr (F)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 24 / 01 / 25Lamont Butler (G)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 17 / 01 / 25Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Carey Booth (F) Questionable Undisclosed - 07 / 03 / 25 4-1 3-2 + - Booth is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will be available for the next contest.
Tomislav Ivisic (C) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 18 / 02 / 25 5-4 5-4 + - Ivisic is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be in Tuesday's lineup versus Wisconsin.
Morez Johnson Jr. (F) Out indefinitely Wrist - 17 / 02 / 25 5-4 5-4 + - Johnson Jr. broke his wrist, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (G) Ques Tues Illness - 10 / 02 / 25 6-5 7-4 + - Gibbs-Lawhorn is ailing with an illness, and it is up in the air if he will take the court against UCLA Bruins on Tuesday.
Tre White (G) Ques Tues Illness - 09 / 02 / 25 6-5 7-4 + - White has missed the previous two contests with an illness, and it is unclear if he will suit up against Wisconsin on Tuesday.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (G) Ques Tues Illness - 08 / 02 / 25 6-6 7-5 + - Gibbs-Lawhorn is ailing with an illness, and it has yet to be established if he will kit up against the UCLA Bruins on Tuesday.
Tomislav Ivisic (C) Ques Sat Ankle - 06 / 02 / 25 7-6 8-5 + - Ivisic is battling with an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will be on court against Minnesota on Saturday.
Tre White (G) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 06 / 02 / 25 7-6 8-5 + - White is nursing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will face Minnesota on Saturday.
Tomislav Ivisic (C) Ques Sun Illness - 25 / 01 / 25 8-8 10-6 + - Ivisic is ailing with an illness, and it is undetermined if he will suit up against Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday.
Will Riley (F) Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 23 / 01 / 25 8-9 10-7 + - Riley is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will play against Maryland on Thursday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kerr Kriisa (G) out of season Foot - 20 / 03 / 25 2-1 0-3 + - Kriisa has been shut down for the remainder of the season due to a fracture foot.
Jaxson Robinson (G) out for season Wrist - 01 / 03 / 25 4-4 5-3 + - Robinson suffered a wrist injury, and he will miss the rest of the season.
Lamont Butler (G) Prob Wed Shoulder - 12 / 02 / 25 7-5 6-6 + - Butler is battling a shoulder injury, but he is likely to play against Oklahoma Sooners on Wednesday.
Lamont Butler (G) Prob Tues Undisclosed - 11 / 02 / 25 8-5 6-7 + - Butler is fighting off an undisclosed injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active against Tennessee Volunteers on Tuesday.
Jaxson Robinson (G) Ques Wed Undisclosed - 11 / 02 / 25 8-5 6-7 + - Robinson has missed the last three games battling an undisclosed injury, and it is unknown if he will play against Oklahoma Sooners on Wednesday..
Jaxson Robinson (G) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 08 / 02 / 25 8-6 7-7 + - Robinson is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will participate against South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday.
Andrew Carr (F) Prob Sat Undisclosed - 01 / 02 / 25 9-7 9-7 + - Carr is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and he is likely to be active for the clash against the Arkansas on Saturday.
Lamont Butler (G) Ques Sat Shoulder - 28 / 01 / 25 9-8 9-8 + - Butler has been dealing with a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will play against South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday.
Andrew Carr (F) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 24 / 01 / 25 9-9 10-8 + - Carr is managing an undisclosed injury, and it is up in the air if he will take the court against Tennessee on Tuesday.
Lamont Butler (G) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 17 / 01 / 25 10-9 10-9 + - Butler is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play against Alabama on Saturday.