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.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
Illinois
Multiple people shot in Centralia, Illinois: REPORT
CENTRALIA, Ill. – An investigation is underway after multiple people were shot Sunday in Centralia, Illinois, according to a report from WFCN News in southern Illinois.
FOX 2 has confirmed the Illinois State Police is investigating a shooting and taking over the investigation, but ISP could not confirm many further details as of 9 p.m. Sunday.
“The investigation is in its infancy and to protect the integrity of the investigation, no additional details will be released at this time,” ISP said in a statement to FOX 2.
According to WFCN News, the shooting happened around 5 p.m. near the 900 block of East Kell Street in Centralia. Multiple law enforcement agencies have since responded to scene and multiple victims are hospitalized, according to the report.
It’s unclear how many people may have been injured and what led up to the shooting.
Centralia, Illinois is about 70 miles, or just over an hour, east of St. Louis.
This is a developing story. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.
Illinois
Weather service assessing damage across Iowa, Illinois and Missouri
The National Weather Service has teams of storm surveryors in the field April 18 investigating several reports of severe storms and tornado touch downs across eastern Iowa, northwest Illinois and northeast Missouri.
According to the weather service’s website, windgusts of up to 60 to 70 mph along with teacup-sized hail and several tornadoes were reported April 17.
Many homes and outbuildings were damaged, trees were uprooted and power lines were downed in Lena, Illinois, where the most significant damage occurred, the site pointed out.
Very strong winds also were reported near Washington, Iowa, and Colmar, Illinois, where several outbuildings and grain bins were destroyed.
The weather service received reports of confirmed and possible tornadoes in the areas of Lena, Pecatonica, Shirland, Rockton, Roscoe and Capron.
The teams will be assessing damage this weekend into next week along with county emergency management teams to determine what types of storms occurred and their paths.
Dozens of power outages were reported, as well.
As of the afternoon of April 18, ComEd was reporting 85 active power outages across northern Illinois, down from 241 on April 17, and 6,751 customers affected, down from more than 18,000.
The bulk of those outages and the most customers impacted are concentrated in Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties.
Illinois
5 tornadoes confirmed in Illinois from Friday’s storms
Freeze Watch
from MON 12:00 AM CDT until MON 9:00 AM CDT, Lake County, Kankakee County, La Salle County, DuPage County, Northern Will County, DeKalb County, Southern Will County, Kendall County, Southern Cook County, Northern Cook County, Grundy County, Eastern Will County, Kane County, McHenry County, Lake County, Newton County, Jasper County, Porter County
-
Arizona1 minute agoTrying to beat the heat: Addressing rising temperatures in Southern Arizona
-
Arkansas7 minutes ago
Arkansas Lottery Cash 3, Cash 4 winning numbers for April 19, 2026
-
California13 minutes agoCalifornia couple charged with murder in death of toddler skip court
-
Colorado19 minutes agoUPDATE: Northbound Powers reopned after major crash
-
Connecticut25 minutes agoCT Lottery Cash 5, Play3 winning numbers for April 19, 2026
-
Delaware31 minutes agoMan speeds past leading runner in photo finish at Delaware Marathon
-
Florida37 minutes agoFlorida Lottery Fantasy 5, Cash Pop results for April 19, 2026
-
Georgia43 minutes ago
Gaudette & Patel Pitch Past No. 3 UNC, 5-2