March Madness: Illinois basketball's NCAA run ends short of Sweet 16 with loss to Kentucky

The Illinois Fighting Illini season came to an end against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Sunday at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum.

Kentucky put away the Illini, 84-75, to advance to the Sweet 16 in a game that saw Illinois' big three starters — Will Riley, Tomislav Ivisic and Kasparas Jakucionis — combine for 10 turnovers and 12 of 35 shooting from the field.

Down by 16, the Illini got 3s from Ivisic and Jakucionis to cut the Kentucky lead down to 60-51 with 11:46 left in the second half.

But Kentucky blew it right back out as Koby Brea hit a jumper and a pair of 3s in a span of 59 seconds for 68-53 with 10:14 left.

Brea was the best player on the floor in this game, delivering a game-high 23 points on 10 of 16 shooting -- including three 3-pointers — and adding six rebounds.

Kentucky blazed out of the gate in the second half to build a 53-39 lead off a 16-7 run in the first five minutes.

Amari Williams had a pair of dunks 90 seconds apart for Kentucky.

The Illini committed 8 turnovers in the game's first 12 minutes and trailed Kentucky by as much as 12.

But they cleaned up the ballhandling — most of the mistakes were on poor passes — and cut Kentucky's lead down to 5 by halftime.

Kylan Boswell had a tip-in and two layups to fuel a 10-2 Illinois run to get back into it. Will Riley had a jumper and two free throws in the final two minutes.

The Illini (23-13) were the No. 6 seed in the Midwest Region, in the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive season under coach Brad Underwood. No. 3 Kentucky (24-11) advanced to a Sweet 16 duel with No. 2 seed Tennessee on Friday.

Follow along here for a recap and highlights from the March Madness game.

What Illinois coach and players said

Illinois vs. Kentucky final score in March Madness bracket

FINAL: Kentucky 84, Illinois 75

Illini making a move

Tomislav Ivisic turnaround in the paint and-1 -- missed the free throw to fuel an 8-2 run and close to within 74-66. Then Boswell hits a jumper to get it within 74-68 with 96 seconds left.

Time running out on Illini

Illinois has scratched within 10 at 74-64, but the clock is down to 3:21 left and Tomislav Ivisic is playing with 4 fouls.

Kentucky 70, Illinois 56

Kentucky in control by 14 as the under-8 media break arrives.

Wildcats are shooting 53.7% from the field in the game -- and 66% in the second half.

Brea goes boom

Kentucky blows it right back out as Koby Brea hits a jumper and a pair of 3s in a span of 59 seconds for 68-53 with 10:14 left.

Brea adds another jumper for 10 straight points.

He is 10 of 15 from the field for a game-high 23 points.

Illini clawing back in it

Down by 16, the Illini get 3s from Tomislav Ivisic and Kasparas Jakucionis to cut the Kentucky lead down to 60-51 with 11:46 left in the second half.

Kentucky, timeout.

Wildcats on the run

Kentucky comes blazing out of the gate in the second half to build a 53-39 lead off a 16-7 run in first five minutes.

Amari Williams with a pair of dunks 90 seconds apart for Kentucky. Illinois turning over the ball again.

HALFTIME: Kentucky 37, Illinois 32

Boswell holding Illinois in it

Kylan Boswell has 10 points on 5 of 7 shooting and is keeping the Illini close.

Illinois' big starting trio of Will Riley, Kasparas Jakucionis and Tomislav Ivisic combined 5 of 16 shooting, 18 points, 7 turnovers.

Illini fall 10 back

Illinois with 8 turnovers in the game's first 12 minutes, and it's helped Kentucky build a 25-15 lead with 8 minutes left in the first half.

Illini turnovers are trouble

Illinois turns it over on consecutive possessions, and has four turnovers in the game's first five minutes.

Kentucky cashes in on a 3 from Koby Brea for a 9-0 run to a 13-5 lead with 14:32 left first half.

Timeout, Illinois.

Kentucky leads early

A 3-pointer from freshman Collin Chandler sends the Wildcats to the break with a 9-5 lead.

What channel is Illinois vs Kentucky on today? How to watch, stream live

• TV channel: CBS
• Stream: NCAA March Madness Live app | Fubo (free trial)

The llinois Fighting Illini will tip off vs. the Kentucky Wildcats on CBS. Streaming options include the NCAA March Madness Live app and Fubo, which offers a free trial. Announcers for the game are Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner and Stan Van Gundy, with Lauren Shehadi reporting from the sidelines.

Illinois vs Kentucky start time, TV channel, location in NCAA bracket

• Time: 4:15 p.m. CT
• TV info: CBS
• Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Illinois and Kentucky will play at 4:15 p.m. at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Illinois vs Kentucky odds in March Madness

Betting information via BetMGM as of Saturday night.

• Spread: Illinois by 1.5
• Over/under: 170.5
• Moneyline: Illinois -135; Kentucky +110

Illinois vs Kentucky prediction: Our pick for 2025 NCAA tournament second round

Illinois vs Kentucky prediction, game picks

Illinois 91, Kentucky 86: 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.

Illinois vs Kentucky stats

ILLINOIS

• PPG: 83.9
• PPG allowed: 74.6
• FG% 45.1
• 3PT%: 31.4
• KenPom ranking: No. 16

KENTUCKY

• PPG: 85.0
• PPG allowed: 77.3
• FG% 48.2
• 3PT%: 37.4
• KenPom ranking: No. 17

Illinois vs Kentucky championship odds

Odds according to BetMGM:

• ILLINOIS: +6,600
• KENTUCKY: +6,000

Illinois basketball schedule 2024-25

Below are the past five games of Illinois' 2024-25 basketball season. For the full schedule,click here

Kentucky basketball schedule 2024-25

Below are the past five games of Kentucky's 2024-25 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here

(This story has been updated to add pictures, video and additional information)