Illinois
Kentucky vs Illinois picks, predictions, odds: Who wins March Madness NCAA Tournament game?
WATCH: Xavier’s season ends in NCAA Tournament loss to Illinois
Xavier’s season came to an end in Milwaukee Friday night after an 86-73 loss to No. 6 Illinois at Fiserv Forum.
No. 6 seed Illinois and No. 3 seed Kentucky play March 23 in a March Madness NCAA Tournament second-round game at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Midwest Region game is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. MST and can be seen on CBS (stream with FUBO).
Who will win the March Madness game and advance to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA bracket?
Check out these NCAA Tournament second-round picks and predictions for the men’s college basketball matchup.
Illinois is a 1.5-point favorite over Kentucky in the game in March Madness odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook. The Fighting Illini are -130 on the moneyline. The Wildcats are +105. The over/under for the game is set at 170.5 points.
Saturday March Madness second round picks: McNeese vs Purdue | Arkansas vs St. John’s | Michigan vs Texas A&M | Drake vs Texas Tech | Creighton vs Auburn | BYU vs Wisconsin | Gonzaga vs Houston | UCLA vs Tennessee | The Republic’s predictions
Sunday March Madness second round picks: UConn vs Florida | Baylor vs Duke | Illinois vs Kentucky | Saint Mary’s vs Alabama | Colorado State vs Maryland | Ole Miss vs Iowa State | New Mexico vs Michigan State | Oregon vs Arizona | The Republic’s predictions
Watch Illinois vs Kentucky on FUBO (free trial)
Jeremy Cluff writes: “We think this game is a toss-up and the odds agree with us, the point spread for this game is the smallest one for Sunday’s March Madness games. We picked Illinois to lose to Xavier in the first round. We’re not picking them to lose in the second.”
More March Madness: How to watch games | Announcers | NCAA Tournament odds | Game odds | Printable bracket
Dimers: Illinois 83, Kentucky 82
It writes: “After extensive simulations, our model gives Illinois a win probability of 55%, while Kentucky has a win probability of 45%.”
Ryan Black writes: “Expect plenty of points in this one. The Wildcats and Illini are among the top 10 in Division I in scoring offense … and outside the top 250 in scoring defense. UK has found ways to win close games all season. Here’s betting Mark Pope’s outfit strikes upon a winning formula in a tight contest featuring double-digit lead changes, ties and swings in momentum before the Illini’s last-chance 3 at the buzzer grazes the rim.”
Wes Huett writes: “Don’t take your eyes off the screen too much this Sunday or you’re bound to miss a basket. Expect a high-scoring showdown here between two high-ceiling teams. Brad Underwood knows how to coach in the tournament — and if Illinois shoots like it did Friday, the Illini move on to the Sweet 16.”
ESPN: Kentucky has a 52.6% chance to beat Illinois
The site gives the Fighting Illini a 47.4% shot at defeating the Wildcats in Sunday’s second-round March Madness NCAA Tournament game.
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. – A northwest suburban man has been arrested after he was allegedly found in possession of child pornography.
In October, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office was tipped off about the “possible possession of child pornography by an electronic service provider.” They began an investigation, which led them to a suspect, identified as 22-year-old Brian Lazaro.
On Dec. 2, a search warrant was executed in the 4000 block of Johnson Ave. in Crystal Lake, leading to felony charges against Lazaro.
He was charged with four counts of Possession of Child Pornography.
No further information was provided.
The Source: The information in this story came from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.
Illinois and Cook County officials are beefing up government services to help more residents obtain REAL IDs, and avoid a new $45 penalty that will be instituted next year for air travelers without the updated identification.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced Wednesday that his office has extended the lease at its Loop Supercenter site that offers walk-in REAL ID services at 191 N. Clark St.
State officials are partnering with Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon’s office to streamline processes to obtain birth certificates, marriage licenses and the other additional personal documents needed to get a REAL ID.
Clerk’s offices will have designated cashiers for REAL ID-related requests, as well as a new appointment system.
“Don’t wait — get your REAL ID today and avoid the expensive and unnecessary federal upcharge,” Giannoulias said.
Earlier this week, the Transportation Security Administration announced $45 fees starting Feb. 1, 2026, for travelers without REAL IDs. They’ve been required since May but most travelers without them have only faced additional screenings and warnings.
The fees will be able to be paid online before arriving at the airport. Travelers can also pay online at the airport before entering the security line, but officials said the process may take up to 30 minutes.
Help from the clerk’s office is available at (312) 603-6278 or Clerk.RealID@cookcountyil.gov. The secretary of state’s help line is (800) 252-8980.
REAL IDs can be obtained at any DMV. Most in the Chicago area require an appointment, which can be made at ilsos.gov.
Contributing: Associated Press
CHICAGO – A Chicago suburb is Illinois’ biggest “boomtown,” according to a new analysis of economic and population growth across the country.
What we know:
The GOBankingRates study looked at U.S. Census American Community Survey data from 2015 to 2023, taking into account cities with populations between 25,000 and 500,000.
Plainfield, a southwest suburb of Chicago, topped the list for Illinois after its population grew nearly 12% over eight years, reaching 45,705 in 2023. The community also saw a 43% jump in per-capita income during that period.
Next door, Indiana’s biggest boomtown is Westfield, which logged a 51.5% population increase and a nearly 57% rise in per-capita income.
Big picture view:
Nationally, Fulshear, Texas, earned the No. 1 spot after expanding its population by 736% from 2015 to 2023.
Other top-ranked boomtowns include Fort Mill, South Carolina; Queen Creek, Arizona; Herriman, Utah; and Windsor, Colorado.
What you can do:
The GOBankingRates study examined 49 states, excluding Hawaii. To learn more, click HERE.
The Source: The information in this news story came from GOBankingRates.
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