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The NCAA Tournament is the single greatest betting event perennially. With the thrills, chills and heavy favorite spills, the Madness always delivers. Here are quick thoughts and the lean on Illinois vs. Kentucky in the second round of the Midwest Region.
No. 6 Illinois (22-12) vs. No. 3 Kentucky (23-11)
Date: Sunday, March 23
Time: 5:15 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
The pick — Illinois -1.5 (-110, BetMGM)
Just get whole. Just get healthy. Just realize your god-given potential.
Whether heard from backers of the Orange and Blue or national pundits, the descriptions above have been cycled and recycled about Illinois for weeks. With the I-L-L one game away from tasting Sweetness, the popular narrative could come to fruition.
Much like Friday’s matchup against Xavier — an opening-round 86-73 victory in which Illinois scored 1.27 points per possession with relative ease — the Illini will once again shift into high gear.
Kentucky is a team that relishes a brisk tempo but plays questionable defense. Mark Pope runs phenomenal sets on the offensive end, but his Wildcats are No. 305 in effective field goal percentage defense over the last 30 days. UK’s consistent wide driving lanes allowed and general unchallenging demeanor has Brad Underwood salivating.
Illinois big Tomislav Ivisic, who set a NCAA Tournament record for a 7-footer with four 3-pointers against Xavier, could again detonate.
In its last eight games, Big Blue Nation ranks No. 323 in 2-point percentage D (56.5%) and No. 227 in 3-point percentage D (35.8%). Ivisic is a wild card with a high probability to cash. Will Riley, Tre White and Kasparas Jakucionis may also sound jackpot sirens.
Otega Oweh and company are unlikely to go quietly. Amari Williams and Andrew Carr comprise a skilled frontcourt, Oweh is a downhill wagon, and Koby Brea is one of the deadliest arc assassins in the college game. Kentucky will pile up the points.
The action in Milwaukee is sure to take viewers’ breath away. Like various scooter-tied geriatrics punching slot machine buttons in Las Vegas at 8 a.m., have an oxygen tank handy.
The Illini’s strong rebounding chops, length and resurgent outside shooting are likely to declaw the Wildcats. Yes, Illinois is also capable of losing by 30, but the uptempo pace presents a favorable spot for the No. 6 seed.
Buy the hype on the surprising favorite. Champaign’s finest is finally bubbling at the right time. Take a sip.
Season record: 30-25, +4.22