Illinois vs. Kentucky Picks and Prediction – 3/23/2025

No. 6 Illinois Fighting Illini (22-12, 12-8 Big Ten) vs. No. 3 Kentucky Wildcats (23-11, 14-6 SEC)
Time: 5:15 PM
Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI

Previous Games:
Illinois: 86-73 win over Xavier in the first round of the NCAA Tournament
Kentucky: 76-57 win over Troy in the first round of the NCAA Tournament

Key Stats & Trends:
Illinois has won four of their last five games, including a dominant victory over Xavier
Kentucky has won four of their last five, with their first-round victory showing both offensive and defensive strengths

Illinois Breakdown:
Illinois enters this matchup after an impressive offensive showing in their first-round victory. They’ve been scoring at a high rate, averaging 80 points per game over the last five contests. Will Riley and Tomislav Ivisic were key contributors in their win, combining for 42 points. Illinois will need to continue their aggressive defense, as they were able to force turnovers and win the rebounding battle in the first round. Their offense will need to maintain efficiency against Kentucky’s solid defense.

Kentucky Breakdown:
Kentucky has been firing on all cylinders lately, with a strong defense that stifled Troy in their first-round game. Otega Oweh has been a major offensive force, and the Wildcats’ depth has been on full display. Kentucky’s shooting ability from beyond the arc and their solid rebounding will be key factors in this game. They’ve been able to slow down high-scoring offenses, and they will look to do the same against Illinois.

Exact Score Prediction:
Illinois 77 - Kentucky 75

Our Best Bet:
Kentucky +2.5 @ -110