Kentucky vs. Illinois Prediction Tonight: NCAA Tournament Odds & Preview
The Midwest Region's No. 3 seed Kentucky Wildcats (23-11) meet the No. 6 Illinois Fighting Illini (21-9) tonight in the NCAA Tournament second round from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee at 5:15 p.m. ET (CBS).
Our Kentucky vs. Illinois prediction, odds, and preview, part of our March Madness predictions, see the Fighting Illini's path forward despite being the lower seed. Illinois is a 1.5-point favorite tonight to advance to the Sweet 16 in the March Madness bracket.
🏀 Kentucky vs. Illinois prediction & picks today
Here are my best Kentucky vs. Illinois predictions for the second round of the NCAA Tournament; use our parlay calculator to get the best odds for any same-game parlay:
✅ Against the spread pick: Illinois -1.5 (-110 via Caesars) vs. Kentucky ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔥 Best player prop bet: Kasparas Jakucionis Over 16.5 points (-135 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🎯 Exact score prediction: Illinois 87, Kentucky 84 (+17000 via DraftKings)
👉 Want more picks? Check out our latest college basketball picks and the rest of our March Madness second-round predictions.
🏆 Best Kentucky vs. Illinois pick, player prop bet & score prediction
Our NEW college basketball player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds for any March Madness market across legal sportsbooks in your area!
✅ Illinois to cover the spread: -1.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Illinois and Kentucky are practically mirror images due to their respective metric profiles, with both teams boasting a top-15 offensive efficiency and defenses that lag slightly behind that level. The comparisons extend to the preferred pace at which this game could unfold, with both squads operating at a top-25 adjusted tempo in the country.
Illinois dispatched a feisty Xavier team in the first round, a far more difficult task than Kentucky’s handling of Troy. Illinois has been mediocre against the spread this season, but the Illini’s profile improves considerably when featured as a favorite. Illinois is 15-11 against the spread as the favored side.
We like the Illini to neutralize Kentucky’s strength from behind the arc, as Illinois ranks third in the nation in limiting opposing 3-point percentage. With both teams trotting out elite offenses, we’re siding with Illinois, which holds the clear edge on defense (29th in effective field-goal percentage defensively, compared to 143rd for Kentucky).
After an 8-0 ATS run for the Big Ten in the opening round of the tournament, we like Illinois to keep that rolling for the conference on Sunday.
📊 Best odds: -110 via Caesars ($10 to win $9.09)
New users only. Must use promo code. Min. $10 deposit. Max. bonus is ten 100% Profit Boost tokens. Profit Boost tokens expire in 14 days. Void where prohibited. Full terms.
🔥Kasparas Jakucionis Over 16.5 points ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Although Illinois freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis hasn’t scored Over 16.5 points in any of his Big Ten or NCAA Tournament games so far, he's been approaching the line in consecutive games while notching 15 and 16 points. With Sunday’s game total set at 170.5 points, we’re riding this points prop for one of Illinois’ top rising stars.
Jakucionis cleared this point total 14 times during the season, sailing above it in six straight games at one point, four of which came against NCAA Tournament teams. He’s more than capable, and Sunday’s scoring environment should suit him well.
Kentucky ranks 188th in the volume of free-throw attempts it allows per game. Jakucionis has been automatic at the line recently, knocking down 22 of 23 free throws since the start of the Big Ten tournament.
📊 Best odds: -135 via BetMGM ($10 to win $7.41)
Bonus bets will expire in 7 days. One new customer offer only. Additional terms and conditions apply.
🎯 Score prediction: Illinois 87, Kentucky 84
We’re going to see some up-and-down play, with top-tier scoring capabilities on both sides of this matchup. Although a total at 170.5 points seems incredibly lofty, we’re predicting a final score that features these two teams just barely nicking the Over.
With the pace, scoring abilities, and slightly lesser defensive efficiencies on display (both teams rank just outside the top 40 on defense with offenses in the top 15), we envision each side getting into the 80s. Additionally, neither team forces excessive turnovers, so this could be a game featuring pure beauty offensively on both ends.
📊 Best odds: +17000 via DraftKings ($10 to win $1,700)
Terms and conditions apply.
🤖 Kentucky vs. Illinois AI prediction
For entertainment purposes, we asked ChatGPT to analyze historical trends and live NCAA Tournament stats before predicting the winner and exact score for Kentucky vs. Illinois. Our AI prediction projects a final score of Kentucky 84, Illinois 77.
🖥️ AI score prediction: Kentucky 84, Illinois 77
- Backcourt Brilliance: Kentucky’s superior guard play, including Koby Brea’s lethal 3-point shooting (44.1% from deep), will stretch Illinois’ defense.
- Offensive Efficiency Edge: The Wildcats average 85.0 points per game, 10.4 more than Illinois allows. Their fast pace and ability to capitalize on transition points give them the scoring edge.
- Battle on the Boards: While Illinois’ size with Tomislav Ivisic provides interior strength, Kentucky’s athleticism and rebounding prowess, with Amari Williams leading the way, will create second-chance opportunities.
🤔 Betting takeaway: ChatGPT's AI prediction would mean Kentucky covering the spread (+1.5) and a total of Under 170.5 points. ChatGPT is not a dedicated sports betting model, but it can identify data that March Madness bettors might overlook.
📊 Live Kentucky vs. Illinois odds
Follow the latest live March Madness college basketball odds and real-time NCAA Tournament scores for the second round.
Illinois opened up as a slight favorite, and in the hours leading up to tipoff in tonight's second-round game, the Fighting Illini have held this position. However, this has led to Kentucky being BetMGM's second-most bet team as a plus-money moneyline underdog (67%). 51% of the bets are on Illinois to 54% of the handle on the Wildcats.
🔢 Kentucky vs. Illinois opening odds
- Spread: Kentucky +1.5 (-105) | Illinois -1.5 (-115)
- Moneyline: Kentucky +110 | Illinois -135
- Over/Under: Over 170.5 (-110) | Under 170.5 (-110)
📺 How to watch Kentucky vs. Illinois: NCAA Tournament second round
📅 Date: Sunday, March 23
🕗 Time: 5:15 p.m. ET
📍 Location: Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee)
📺 TV: CBS
💻 Streaming: March Madness Live
Today's March Madness game picks
Here are today's best game previews and predictions:
- Florida vs. UConn prediction
- Duke vs. Baylor prediction
- Kentucky vs. Illinois prediction
- Alabama vs. St. Mary's prediction
- Maryland vs. Colorado prediction
- Iowa State vs. Ole Miss prediction
- Michigan State vs. New Mexico prediction
- Arizona vs. Oregon prediction
💰 March Madness betting odds pages
| March Madness odds | March Madness MVP odds |
| Women's March Madness odds | March Madness MVP predictions |
| Final Four odds | March Madness prop bets |
👑 Best March Madness betting sites
Ready to place your March Madness bets? Check out the best March Madness betting promos from the best March Madness betting sites as determined by our expert team at Sportsbook Review.
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission
Related Articles
