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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