Chambana Sun

The Illinois Fighting Illini will face the Kentucky Wildcats in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 23, 2025. The game is scheduled for a 4:15 p.m. CT tip-off at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee and will be broadcast on CBS with Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner, Stan Van Gundy, and Lauren Shehadi calling the action.

Illinois enters the matchup as a No. 6 seed following an 86-73 victory over Xavier in the first round. Head Coach Brad Underwood has led Illinois to five straight NCAA Tournament appearances and aims to advance to the Sweet 16 for consecutive seasons, a feat last achieved by Illinois in 2004 and 2005.

Kentucky holds an all-time series lead over Illinois with an 11-4 record, including four victories in NCAA Tournament play. The two teams last met in the NCAA Mideast Regional Final in Lexington, Kentucky, where Kentucky secured a narrow win over Illinois.

The Illini are seeking their first win against Kentucky since December 1966. Associate Head Coach Orlando Antigua previously served as an assistant coach at Kentucky under John Calipari from 2009-2014 and again from 2021-2024.

Illinois has historically been strong under Coach Underwood's guidance, achieving multiple Big Ten Championships and maintaining a consistent presence in national rankings. Despite having one of the least experienced rosters among tournament teams this year, Underwood remains optimistic about his team's performance.

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is noted as one of the few returning players with previous NCAA Tournament experience for Illinois. Transfers Kylan Boswell and Tre White also bring tournament experience from their previous schools.

Fans can follow live coverage through various platforms including radio broadcasts on Busey Bank Illini Sports Network and Westwood One National Radio. Live streaming options are available via NCAA March Madness Live and related apps.