Kentucky 84, Illinois 75: Final score and recap from March Madness
Illinois basketball's Brad Underwood and players talk preparation for Kentucky
For the first time in 41 years, Illinois plays Kentucky. Here's what coach Brad Underwood and his players said Saturday.
MILWAUKEE - Illinois basketball can do something it hasn't done in 20 years.
With one win, the Illini would make consecutive Sweet Sixteen appearances for the first time since the 2004-2005 NCAA Tournaments.
Standing in the way is college basketball blue-blood Kentucky, led by first-year coach Mark Pope.
Follow along with us here for live updates as Illinois plays Kentucky for the right to go to the Sweet Sixteen.
Illinois vs. Kentucky: live updates
FINAL | Kentucky 84, Illinois 75
The Illini's season ends in the NCAA Tournament's Round of 32. There's no consecutive Sweet Sixteen.
2nd Half | 3:21 - Kentucky 74, Illinois 64
Illinois trails by 10.
Someone's got to make a play defensively. Jakucionis, Boswell and Ivisic are fine offensively.
They need stops now.
2nd Half | 7:44 - Kentucky 70, Illinois 56
Since the start of the second half, Kentucky is shooting 78% from the floor. The Illini just can't find ways to string stops together.
2nd Half | 14:58 - Kentucky 60, Illinois 51
Illinois has some life.
Boswell, Ivisic and Jakucionis hit 3-pointers to bring the game back within nine with under 12 minutes left. The Illini defense needs to keep making stops, which is the biggest challenge.
2nd Half | 14:58 - Kentucky 53, Illinois 39
The Wildcats open the second half on a 16-7 run. Multiple turnovers lead to points, and the Illini are in a bigger hole than where they started.
HALFTIME | Kentucky 37, Illinois 32
Nice adjustments by Illinois to close the gap. But, late free throws for Kentucky mean the Illini have some work to do.
Lamont Butler: 10 points
Koby Brea: 9 points
Tomislav Ivisic: 9 points, 5 rebounds
Kylan Boswell: 10 points
1st Half | 3:47 - Kentucky 27, Illinois 20
Illini have this down to a two-possession game. A nice run before halftime could be massive for some halftime momentum.
Kylan Boswell is getting to the rim pretty easily, too. UK might be playing a little passive to avoid fouls.
1st Half | 8:00 - Kentucky 25, Illinois 15
Some key stats:
Illinois: eight turnovers, 13 rebounds, 5/14 on field goals.
Kentucky: seven assists, one turnover, 11/22 on field goals.
1st Half | 11:43 - Kentucky 18, Illinois 10
Kentucky extended its lead. Amari Williams will shoot a free throw after the timeout following a foul on Morez Johnson Jr.
Illinois has committed five turnovers and that's been the difference.
1st Half | 15:30 - Kentucky 9, Illinois 5
Colin Chandler hits the first three of the game. Will Riley rotated too low on defense as Ivisic's help on defense, leaving Chandler wide open.
Kentucky leads Illinois early on. The Illini have two turnovers.
1st Half | 20:00 - Game on
The ball is tipped.
Illinois and Kentucky are underway for a berth in the Sweet Sixteen.
Starting lineups
Illinois' starting five: Kylan Boswell, Tre White, Will Riley, Tomislav Ivisic and Kasparas Jakucionis.
Kentucky starting five: Otega Oweh, Lamont Butler, Koby Brea, Andrew Carr and Amari Williams.
Illinois plays Kentucky starting at 4:15 CT.
The Illini will take over Fiserv Forum, expecting a contingent of orange and blue to battle the Kentucky faithful that traveled from Lexington.
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