(3) Kentucky faces (6) Illinois this afternoon in a Round of 32 matchup that could go either way. Expect a fast-paced, high-scoring game where the three-point line plays a pivotal role.
Illinois averages around 30 three-point attempts per game — among the most in the nation — and Kentucky isn’t far behind with about 25.
Watch out for Illinois freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis, a projected 2025 NBA Draft lottery pick, who nearly posted a triple-double in the Fighting Illini’s dominant first-round win over Xavier.
For Kentucky, junior Otega Oweh is coming off a standout performance against Troy, where he hit 50% from deep and filled the stat sheet with 20 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
An X factor could be Wildcats sharpshooter Koby Brea — a streaky but dangerous three-point threat who’s shooting 44% from beyond the arc this season. If he catches fire, Kentucky will be tough to beat.
How to Watch Kentucky vs. Illinois
The Kentucky–Illinois game tips off at 5:15 PM Eastern and airs nationally on CBS. That means there are multiple ways to watch for free.
If you have an antenna, you can watch the game for free over the air.
The March Madness Live app or website offers this and other CBS games for free.
The second-round game also streams on the CBS, Paramount+, and Sling apps and websites.
(3) Kentucky vs. (6) Illinois
Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025
Time: 5:15 PM Eastern
Venue: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
TV: CBS
Streaming: CBS, Paramount+, Sling, March Madness Live App, DirecTV Stream (free trial), Hulu + Live TV (free trial), YouTube TV (free trial)
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