Illinois loses to Kentucky in 2nd round of March Madness tournament

MILWAUKEE (WLS) — The University of Illinois men’s basketball team’s season came to an end Sunday after losing to the University of Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.

The Illini played against the 3rd-seeded Wildcats Sunday at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

The final score was 84-75.

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Illinois defeated Xavier University with a score of 86-73 Friday night in the first round of the March Madness tournament.

Illinois made its a sixth straight tournament appearance this year.

Kentucky guard Otega Oweh handles the ball against Illinois forward Will Riley in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Milwaukee.

Kentucky guard Otega Oweh handles the ball against Illinois forward Will Riley in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Milwaukee.

(AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Pre-game stats

The Fighting Illini’s record in Big Ten action is 13-9. Illinois is ninth in college basketball scoring 83.9 points per game while shooting 45.1%.

The Wildcats’ record in SEC play is 11-9, and their record is 12-2 in non-conference play. Kentucky is third in the SEC scoring 85.0 points while shooting 48.2% from the field.

Illinois averages 9.4 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.9 more makes per game than Kentucky gives up. Kentucky averages 9.6 made 3-pointers per game, 2.9 more made shots than the 6.7 per game Illinois gives up.

Ben Humrichous is shooting 34.3% from beyond the arc with 1.8 made 3-pointers per game for the Fighting Illini, while averaging 7.8 points. Will Riley is shooting 48.3% and averaging 14.9 points over the past 10 games.

Amari Williams is averaging 10.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists for the Wildcats. Koby Brea is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Fighting Illini: 6-4 in their last 10 games, averaging 80.8 points, 34.3 rebounds, 15.1 assists, 3.8 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 83.1 points.

Wildcats: 6-4 in their last 10 games, averaging 82.1 points, 32.6 rebounds, 15.4 assists, 8.1 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.2 points per game.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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