Illinois vs. Kentucky Prediction: Can Illinois Outduel Mark Pope's Wildcats in Round of 32 Shootout?
Illinois vs. Kentucky Prediction: Can Illinois Outduel Mark Pope's Wildcats in Round of 32 Shootout?
The Kentucky Wildcats changed head coach in the off-season, letting go of Hall of Fame head coach John Calipari for a new up-and-coming riser in Mark Pope.
Pope has the Wildcats into the second round, giving them a three-seed in the NCAA Tournament. He's done well with Kentucky, especially given the injuries it has dealt with this season, including Lamont Butler's absence for many regular-season games.
However, Calipari left for Arkansas and just coached his way through Bill Self and Rick Pitino to get the Razorbacks into the Sweet 16.
Kentucky fans have to be embarrassed at this point. Ultimately, the Wildcat faithful would be up in arms if Calipari made it farther than Pope in the NCAA Tournament this year.
Therefore, Mark Pope and the Wildcats face pressure in tonight's showdown against the Illinois Fighting Illini. Kentucky might be the No. 3 seed, but it is a 2.5-point underdog against the Fighting Illini.
Should bettors have faith in Pope and the Wildcats?
Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for tonight's game between the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Kentucky Wildcats.
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Illinois vs. Kentucky Odds
- Moneyline: Illinois -135, Kentucky +115
- Spread: Illinois -2.5 (+100), Kentucky +2.5 (-120)
- Total: Over 169.5 (-115), Under 169.5 (-105)
Illinois vs. Kentucky Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date:Â Sunday, March 23, 2024
- Game Time:Â 5:15 PM ET
- Where to Watch:Â CBS
Click here for latest Illinois vs. Kentucky Odds
Illinois vs. Kentucky Prediction
The Illinois Fighting Illini have shot just 31.4% from deep this season. This is notable, especially since Illinois tends to make many threes per game.
That said, off misses, Illinois can usually add a high rate of offensive rebounds to gain second chances. Only this time, the Fighting Illini could struggle on the offensive glass. Despite earning 35.9% of offensive rebounds per game, they're going up against a Kentucky team that has limited opponents to 25.9% of offensive rebounds.
As long as Kentucky continues its dominance on the defensive glass, the Wildcats should be able to limit the damage. Still, Illinois has shot 57.3% from inside the arc and should have its way down low against Kentucky. They'll be alright if the Fighting Illini take more shots inside and limit three-point shots.
On the other hand, Kentucky has shot a 56% effective field goal percentage, hitting 37.4% from deep and 55.9% from inside the arc.
Illinois has limited teams to 46% from inside, but opponents have shot 33.5% from deep. Still, Illinois has allowed fewer foul shots per game and has also allowed just 25.9% of offensive rebounds per game.
Illinois should have more success scoring down low. The Fighting Illini are also the better foul-shooting team overall. In addition, Illinois is much more aggressive on the offensive glass. Yeah, Kentucky will limit Illinois, but it's still likely the Fighting Illini end up with more second chances in this game.
I agree with oddsmakers and think Illinois has the edge. Give me the Fighting Illini at -1.5 (-115).
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Kentucky Wildcats Pick
- Pick: Illinois -1.5 (-115) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best price on Illinois vs. Kentucky odds
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Article Author
Jason grew up an avid sports fan. His passion for sports writing grew in high school and he developed a blog that was strictly for New York Sports. From his work, you will quickly realize that he loves looking at games from an analytical and numbers perspective and hopes to provide you with that same perspective in his articles.