Ayrton Oneill
With the Kentucky Wildcats preparing to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini, basketball fans will be eager to know which channel to tune into to catch the game. The Kentucky team will be hoping to make it past the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament and into the Sweet 16, but the Illini roster is strong and they will be tough competitors. So, which channel are the Illini on tonight?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 24 March 2025 |
| Teams | Kentucky vs. Illinois Fighting Illini |
| TV Channel | CBS |
| Announcers | Dan Bonner, Stan Van Gundy, and Lauren Shehadi |
| Live Online Stream | March Madness Live |
| Radio | Tom Leach and Jack Givens on the UK Sports Radio Network |
| Replay | CBS Sports Network and March Madness Live |
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What You'll Learn
Kentucky vs Illinois Fighting Illini: TV channel and live stream
The Kentucky Wildcats are taking on the Illinois Fighting Illini in what promises to be an exciting NCAA Tournament game. The Kentucky team seems to have the momentum to make some noise in the tournament, especially with the performances of Lamont Butler and Amari Williams. The Wildcats are coming off a 76-57 win over Troy, the first NCAA Tournament win for Mark Pope as a head coach. The Illinois team, on the other hand, has been inconsistent, but when they are hot, they can be a force to be reckoned with. Led by Kasparas Jakucionis, who is a talented shooter, and Tomislav Ivisic, the Illini have a strong offensive presence. Freshman forward Will Riley is also having a standout season, with a projected first-round NBA Draft pick.
You can catch all the action live on CBS, with coverage starting at 6:10 pm ET. Dan Bonner, Stan Van Gundy, and Lauren Shehadi will be calling the game. If you can't tune in to CBS, you can also listen to the game on the UK Sports Radio Network, with Tom Leach and Jack Givens on commentary. For those who prefer to stream the game online, March Madness Live will be providing a live stream, but a valid login with a cable service is required. However, there is a one-hour free trial available for those without a subscription.
So, whether you're cheering for the Kentucky Wildcats or the Illinois Fighting Illini, make sure you don't miss this thrilling Round of 32 matchup, with both teams aiming to secure their spot in the Sweet 16.
Enjoy the game, and may the best team win!
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Kentucky Basketball vs Illinois: odds and predictions
The Kentucky Wildcats and Illinois Fighting Illini faced off in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, with the winner advancing to the Sweet 16 in Indianapolis. Both teams had strong offensive efficiency rankings, with Kentucky ranked 12th and Illinois close behind at 13th. The Wildcats play at the 22nd-fastest pace nationally, with Illinois slightly faster, ranked 17th.
Illinois had hit the game total over in 20 of their last 37 games, while Kentucky had hit the money line in 22 of their last 33 games. Freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis of Illinois had been putting up impressive numbers, with a near triple-double in the team's win over Xavier. For Kentucky, the key would be their depth, as they would need to keep fresh legs in the game, while Illinois relied on a rotation of just seven players.
Odds and predictions varied for the matchup:
- FanDuel had Illinois favored by 1.5 points with an over/under of 167.5.
- EvanMiya had Illinois favored by 1.2 points and gave them a 54.1% chance of winning.
- KenPom gave Kentucky a 49% chance of winning, while BartTorvik gave them a 51% chance, and DRatings had them at 43.1%.
- EvanMiya and KenPom predicted an 85-84 win for Illinois, while BartTorvik predicted an 86-85 win for Kentucky, and DRatings went with an 87-85 score for Illinois.
Ultimately, Kentucky pulled off a victory, edging out Illinois to advance to the Sweet 16.
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Illinois enters as a boom-or-bust team
Illinois enters the game against Kentucky as a boom-or-bust team. They are a talented roster, but they have been inconsistent, capable of both impressive performances and rough outings. When they are on form, they are a force to be reckoned with and could even make a run to the Elite Eight. However, when they are off, their play leaves a lot to be desired.
In their previous game, Illinois cruised past Xavier, setting up their match with Kentucky. The Illini have a strong 1-2 punch in Kasparas Jakucionis, who is considered a lottery pick in the NBA Draft, and Tomislav Ivisic. Jakucionis is a threat from deep, shooting just under 33%, and can quickly get hot, so keeping him in check will be a priority for Kentucky. Ivisic, meanwhile, provides a strong supporting presence. In addition, freshman forward Will Riley is also a standout player, projected to be a first-round NBA Draft pick, and he showcased his talent with 22 points in the win over Xavier.
Kentucky, meanwhile, is coming off a 76-57 win over Troy, their first NCAA Tournament win under head coach Mark Pope, who has had a wildly successful first season. The Wildcats have the talent to make a deep run in the tournament, with players like Lamont Butler and Amari Williams leading the way. This game promises to be a close contest, with Illinois favoured slightly by oddsmakers, but it remains to be seen if they can deliver a boom performance or if they will bust.
The game will be broadcast on CBS, with announcers Dan Bonner, Stan Van Gundy, and Lauren Shehadi calling the action. For those streaming, it will be available on March Madness Live with a valid cable login, and there is also a one-hour free trial available. On radio, the game will be called by Tom Leach and Jack Givens on the UK Sports Radio Network.
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Kentucky's strategy for facing Illinois
The Kentucky Wildcats have a tough task ahead of them when they face the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional game. This will be the 16th meeting between the two teams, with Kentucky leading the series 11-4. However, the teams have not met since the 1980s, and this game will be a challenge for the Wildcats. Here are some strategies that Kentucky can employ to face Illinois:
First, Kentucky should focus on exploiting Illinois' weaknesses. The Fighting Illini have two primary weaknesses: they shoot only 31.1% on 3-pointers and have a negative turnover margin. Kentucky can take advantage of this by defending the 3-point line aggressively and applying pressure to force turnovers. By disrupting Illinois' shooting and ball handling, Kentucky can gain an advantage and create opportunities for themselves on offense.
Second, Kentucky should aim to utilize their depth. Illinois tends to rely on a rotation of seven key players, while Kentucky has the luxury of a deeper bench. By rotating fresh legs into the game, the Wildcats can wear down their opponents and gain an advantage in the latter parts of the game. This strategy can be particularly effective if the game remains close going into the final stages.
Third, Kentucky should pay close attention to Illinois' key players. Center Tomislav Ivisic, guard Kasparas Jakucionis, and forward Will Riley are the leading scorers for Illinois. Kentucky can assign specific defenders to focus on these players and try to limit their impact on the game. By disrupting the rhythm of Illinois' top scorers, Kentucky can throw off their opponents' game plan and create opportunities for themselves.
Additionally, Kentucky should focus on improving their defense. While they have shown growth in this area, continuing to develop their defensive strategies and techniques will be crucial in stopping Illinois' talented roster. Kentucky's players, such as Lamont Butler and Amari Williams, will need to step up and match the intensity of Illinois' offense.
Overall, Kentucky has a challenging task ahead of them, but with a well-thought-out game plan and effective execution, they can emerge victorious and advance further in the NCAA Tournament.
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Previous Kentucky vs Illinois score
The previous Kentucky vs Illinois game on 23 March 2025 ended with a Kentucky Wildcats win, 84-75. This result saw the Wildcats advance to the Sweet 16, becoming the first team in college basketball history to make it this far after losing 100% of its scoring from the previous season.
Kentucky's head coach Mark Pope earned a contract extension with the Sweet 16 berth, with this being his first season in charge. Pope had to create a new roster from scratch, and Kentucky's scoring was led by Treysen Eaglestaff, who added 40 points.
For Illinois, Will Riley, Tomislav Ivisic, and Kasparas Jakucionis all played, but the Illini's rally wasn't enough to stop Kentucky from advancing.
The game also featured a highlight reel from Duke's Cooper Flagg, including a 3-pointer from just in front of the logo at the halftime buzzer and a no-look pass for an alley-oop.
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Frequently asked questions
The Illinois Fighting Illini basketball game is on CBS.
The Illinois Fighting Illini are playing the Kentucky Wildcats.
The game is at 7 pm ET.
Some key players to watch out for include Kasparas Jakucionis, Tomislav Ivisic, and Will Riley.
