Friday was a great day for both the Illinois basketball team and the Kentucky Wildcats.
Both the Illini and Kentucky needed to look good in the first round of the NCAA tournament. These two programs have a ton to prove, and Friday’s results showed that they are up for the challenge.
Kentucky led things off in Milwaukee with a first-round drubbing of Troy. After falling to Oakland in the first round last season, a new-look Wildcats program was ready for the lower-seeded test this time around.
While Illinois didn’t completely dominate Xavier like Kentucky did with Troy, the Illini still looked good. We had control for much of the game. Even when the Musketeers would make a little run, the Illini would always have an answer.
Illinois and Kentucky will now go head-to-head on Sunday to see which program will keep their hopes of a national championship alive.
Illinois basketball vs Kentucky – NCAA tournament 2nd round date, time, and how to watch
- Date: Sunday, March 23
With the NCAA tournament, when you play the first round on a Friday, the second round is always on a Sunday. In this case, the game between Illinois and Kentucky will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Sunday, March 23.
- Time: 5:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. CT
Kentucky got the early game in Milwaukee in the first round, as Illinois was one of the final games of the day on Friday. On Sunday, the two teams will battle for a Sweet 16 berth at 5:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. CT.
- How to watch Illinois vs Kentucky: CBS/FuboTV
Out of all the Turner channel options, the Illinois vs Kentucky game is getting the bright lights of the mothership, CBS. This will be the first game of the evening block. You can also watch all NCAA tournament games with FuboTV.