Illinois vs Kentucky Odds, Prediction and March Madness Picks March 23

Just one lower-seeded team is listed by BetUS Sportsbook as the favorite in the 16 second-round NCAA tournament games, so congrats to the sixth-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini for that honor. The Illini are one of eight Big Ten teams to advance to the second round, and they get the honor of facing the No. 3 seed Kentucky Wildcats on Sunday.

This could be one of the most competitive matchups among Sunday’s games, with Illinois holding steady as a 1.5-point favorite. Kentucky is priced at +110 to make some college basketball news by advancing to the Sweet 16 under first-year head coach Mark Pope.

Illinois vs Kentucky Prediction Today March 23

My prediction

Kentucky 84, Illinois 81

When making March Madness predictions, remember that Illinois is 4-4 in games decided by six points or less this season, while Kentucky has won six of its last eight games that ended as one- or two-possession games. The Fighting Illini were 1-2 against SEC teams this season, while Kentucky was blown out by Ohio State in its only matchup with a team from the Big Ten.

One thing you won’t have to worry about is if we’re going to give it our all.

We face [3] Kentucky at 4:15 p.m. CT on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/ILYZnc1hQa

— Illinois Men’s Basketball (@IlliniMBB) March 22, 2025

Looking at the Illinois vs Kentucky betting trends, Illinois has covered against the odds in 15 of its 26 games when listed as the favorite this season. Meanwhile, Kentucky has delivered in seven of its 11 games as the underdog.

Top 3 Illinois vs Kentucky Betting Picks

My top picks

1. Kentucky vs Illinois ATS Pick: Kentucky +2
2. Kentucky vs Illinois O/U Pick: Under 170
3. Kentucky vs Illinois top prop: IG Kasparas Jakucionis over 5.5 Assists

My Analysis

There’s nothing quite like a matchup between the seventh-place team in the Big Ten and the sixth-place team in the SEC with a spot in the Sweet 16 on the line. Kentucky went 8-5 against ranked teams this season, compared to a 5-7 mark for Illinois. That is enough for me to go with Kentucky to win when making March Madness predictions.

The 170-point total jumped off the screen. Illinois has had some impressive point totals this season, thanks in part to leading scorer and assist man Kasparas Jakucionis (15.0 points, 4.8 assists). But the Fighting Illini also managed just 67 points against Duke and 65 versus Maryland in the Big Ten tournament. That is enough to take the under when looking at the NCAAB expert picks.

Illinois vs Kentucky March Madness Best Prop Bet

Otega Oweh Over 19.5 Points (-112)

Otega Oweh bounced back from scoring just eight points on 1-of-6 shooting in a loss to Alabama in the SEC tournament quarterfinals with 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists as the Wildcats rolled past Troy in their March Madness opener.

OTEGA OWEH 😤#MarchMadness @KentuckyMBB pic.twitter.com/32vZ01Vsto

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 22, 2025

Take the -112 odds for Oweh to have at least 20 points when considering college basketball prop bets.

Bet On Otega Oweh Over 19.5 Points (-112)

Illinois vs Kentucky How To Watch

• Game: Illinois (22-12) vs Kentucky (23-11)
• Date/Time: Sunday, March 23, 5:15 p.m. ET
• Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
• Illinois vs Kentucky Live Stream: Fubo.tv