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Illinois vs Kentucky Prediction 3/23/25 College Basketball Picks
Pick details
Kentucky (23-11) vs Illinois (22-12)
March 23, 2025 at 05:15 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Kentucky +1.5 — Over/Under: 169.5
The Illinois Fighting Illini and Kentucky Wildcats meet Sunday in the college basketball Second Round at the Fiserv Forum. Here’s a Illinois vs Kentucky Prediction. This article will include a Illinois vs Kentucky Pick.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview
The Illinois Fighting Illini recently played Michigan, Purdue, Iowa, Maryland, and Xavier. Illinois has seen nine of its 12 losses this season come since January 11.
The Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 83.8 points on 45 percent shooting and allowing 74.6 points on 42.2 percent shooting. Kasparas Jakucionis is averaging 15 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Tomislav Ivisic is averaging 12.8 points and 7.7 rebounds. Will Riley is the third double-digit scorer and Kylan Boswell is grabbing 4.9 rebounds. The Illinois Fighting Illini are shooting 31.1 percent from beyond the arc and 75.9 percent from the free throw line. The Illinois Fighting Illini are allowing 33.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 39.8 rebounds per game.
Kentucky Wildcats Betting Preview
The Kentucky Wildcats recently played Auburn, LSU, Missouri, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Troy. Kentucky has won eight of its last 12 games.
The Kentucky Wildcats are averaging 85.3 points on 48.2 percent shooting and allowing 77.9 points on 43.7 percent shooting. Otega Oweh is averaging 16.4 points and 4.7 rebounds, while Jaxson Robinson is averaging 13 points and 3.5 rebounds. Lamont Butler is the third double-digit scorer and Koby Brea is dishing 1.4 assists. The Kentucky Wildcats are shooting 37.4 percent from beyond the arc and 73.8 percent from the free throw line. The Kentucky Wildcats are allowing 30.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.5 rebounds per game.
Why the Kentucky Wildcats will win
- Kentucky has won 12 of its last 14 games against non-Conference opponents.
- Illinois has lost three of its last four day games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
- Illinois has lost the first half in four of its last five games against AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win
- Illinois has won each of its last four day games.
- Kentucky has lost four of its last five NCAA Tournament day games against Top 8 Seeds.
- Kentucky has lost the first half in each of its last three day games against the Big Ten Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Kentucky’s last 14 day games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 167 or fewer points.
- Thirty-four of Illinois’ last 36 day games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 167 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Kentucky ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for offensive rating this season (123.8).
- Kentucky ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for defensive rating this season (111.1).
- Illinois ranks 361st among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (65.4).
- Illinois ranks 358th among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (4.5).
Illinois vs Kentucky Injury Report
Illinois will be without Ty Rodgers, while Carey Booth is questionable with an undisclosed issue. Kentucky will continue to be without Kerr Kriisa due to a foot injury.
Illinois vs Kentucky Prediction
Kentucky and the free bucket are intriguing when you consider just how explosive they are offensively. When Kentucky is on, it’s capable of beating anybody in this tournament on one night. However, as I said in my previous Illinois write-up, I’m, high on the Fighting Illini and had them making a Final Four run before the tournament. Illinois is healthy, loaded with players who can take over offensively, and has one of the best players in the country in Jakucionis leading the charge. This is likely going to be a high-scoring game and whichever team can get stops down the stretch will win. Illinois has shown to defend at a higher clip this season while Kentucky is 325th in scoring defense. Illinois is top-100 in field goal percentage defense. I’ve been riding the Illinois bandwagon for a while now. It’s OK to join me. I’ll lay the bucket.
