March Madness: Kentucky beats Illinois to return to Sweet 16 for first time since 2019
The drought is over.
Under first-year coach Mark Pope, No. 3 seed Kentucky has advanced to the Sweet 16 thanks to an 84-75 win over No. 6 Illinois on Sunday.
The win ends a four-season drought of reaching the NCAA tournament's second weekend under former head coach John Calipari. In Calipari's last four seasons, the Wildcats lost twice as a top-3 seed in the first round, lost in the second round as a No. 6 seed and missed the tournament altogether in 2021 after posting a 9-16 record.
The win is cause for celebration in Lexington and for Pope, who returned this season to coach the program for which he played and helped lead to a national championship in 1996. In Pope's first season, the Wildcats finished sixth in a historically loaded SEC and are now one of the final 16 teams remaining in the NCAA tournament field.
Calipari, meanwhile, will join his former team in the Sweet 16. Calipari coached No. 10 seed Arkansas to the tournament's second weekend with a win over No. 2 seed St. John's on Saturday. But Arkansas' on the other side of the bracket and of no concern to Kentucky barring a potential meeting in the national championship game.
Defense leads to offense for Kentucky
On Sunday, Illinois was Kentucky's concern, and the Wildcats set the tone early. Kentucky scored its first bucket after a steal by Lamont Butler that led to a transition layup by Koby Brea.
(3) Kentucky strikes first on (6) Illinois ⚔️
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2025
Watch NOW: https://t.co/Cw7PWdGBCY#MarchMadnesspic.twitter.com/86zJcI6Xzg
Minutes later, Kentucky had opened up a 25-13 lead sparked by defense. Kentucky forced eight Illinois turnovers — all of them off steals — and converted them into 14 points during the run.
Illinois responded to close the gap to 37-32 by halftime. But the second half started much like the first.
Kentucky scored its first bucket of the half on an Otega Oweh transition layup made possible by an Andrew Carr steal. The bucket sparked an 8-0 Kentucky run that ballooned the Wildcats' lead up to 45-32.
Koby Brea fends off Illinois rally
Illinois answered with another run to cut the Kentucky lead to 60-51. But a personal run by Brea put Kentucky back in control.
Brea scored 10 consecutive Kentucky points in a four-possession stretch that included two 3-pointers and extended Kentucky's lead to 16 points at 70-54 with 9:32 remaining.
"HE HAS BEEN A FLAMETHROWER FOR KENTUCKY!" 🔥
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2025
Koby Brea is up to 21 PTS after his third triple 📈#MarchMadness@KentuckyMBBpic.twitter.com/BADiQ1PNZ9
Illinois reapplied pressure and cut the Kentucky lead to 74-68 in the final two minutes. But a layup by Carr with 1:13 remaining extended the lead back to double digits, and Illinois didn't threaten again.
Brea led the offensive effort for Kentucky with 23 points and six rebounds while hitting 3 of 8 3-point attempts. Butler was a force on both sides of the court with 14 points, five assists and three steals while hitting 2 of 3 3-point attempts. Kentucky forced 14 Illinois turnovers, all of them off steals.
Kylan Boswell led Illinois in the losing effort with 23 points and six assists.
Up next for Kentucky is a rematch with SEC foe and No. 2 seed Tennessee in the Sweet 16. The Wildcats swept a two-game series in the regular season.
Topics
-
Koby Brea leads the way as Kentucky beats Illinois 84-75 for first Sweet 16 appearance since 2019
Kentucky beat Illinois 84-75 on Sunday to advance beyond the NCAA Tournament’s opening weekend for the first time since they reached the Elite Eight in 2019.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
March Madness Saturday recap: John Calipari's Sweet 16 redemption, Big Ten's perfect start ends, is JuJu OK?
In his first season post breakup, John Calipari is back in the Sweet 16. Kentucky will look to match him there on Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Kentucky basketball, John Calipari back in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 — just not together
John Calipari and Kentucky basketball are back in the Sweet 16 (just not together this go-round). Here's the latest on Cal and coach Mark Pope's teamsYahoo Sports - 23h -
Calipari bests Pitino in March Madness and leads Arkansas to sweetest Sweet 16 appearance yet
John Calipari is heading back to the Sweet 16 after sending a second straight Hall of Famer home from the NCAA Tournament’s “Region of Coaches.” One game after knocking out good friend Bill Self ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Tip times set for Kentucky-Tennessee, NCAA tournament Sweet 16 games
Kentucky and Tennessee will meet in an NCAA tournament game for the first time ever.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Calipari bests Pitino in March Madness and leads Arkansas to sweetest Sweet 16 appearance yet
John Calipari is heading back to the Sweet 16 after sending a second straight Hall of Famer home from the NCAA Tournament’s “Region of Coaches.”ABC News - 2d -
How Kentucky used a little 'Chicago' and lots of 'LaMarch' to punch first Sweet 16 ticket since 2019
Inside the play and the player — remember Lamont Butler? — that has Kentucky packing its bags for the Sweet 16.CBS Sports - 1d -
Game time set for Tennessee basketball vs. Kentucky in 2025 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
Tennessee basketball advanced to face Kentucky in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament with a 67-58 win against UCLA on Saturday at Rupp Arena.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
'Legend' Calipari leads Razorbacks into Sweet 16
John Calipari is heading to the Sweet 16 for the 16th time, guiding the Razorbacks past nemesis Rick Pitino and second-seeded St. John's 75-66 to bring his fourth school to the NCAA tournament's ...ESPN - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Swiatek gets extra security after harassment
World number two Iga Swiatek is receiving additional security at the Miami Open after she was harassed by a spectator during her practice.Media reports said that Swiatek was verbally harassed by a ...Yahoo Sports - 22m -
Texas Children's Houston Open 2025: First-round tee times and groupings
Tee times and groupings for the first round of the Texas Children's Houston Open.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
WBB: Bearcats G Abby Holtman enters transfer portal
Brandan Wesson, Wessography/TFON Cincinnati guard Abby Holtman has announced she will enter the transfer portal via IG. Holtman, a Florence Kentucky native spent the last two seasons at Cincinnati ...Yahoo Sports - 28m -
3 things to watch for the Sixers in final 10 games of the season
Here are three things to watch for with the Philadelphia 76ers in the final 10 games of the 2024-25 season.Yahoo Sports - 28m -
2025 NFL free agency: Contract details for New York Jets CB Brandon Stephens
2025 NFL free agency: Contract details for Jets CB Brandon Stephens:Yahoo Sports - 29m
More in Sports
-
NWSL condemns alleged abuse of Pride's Banda
The NWSL and NJ/NY Gotham FC are investigating "hateful language" directed from a fan toward Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda during a match on Sunday.ESPN - 21m -
Blatter, Platini cleared in FIFA corruption case
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and France great Michel Platini were both cleared of corruption charges by a Swiss court on Tuesday.ESPN - 21m -
Ronaldo: Penalty miss? Knew Portugal would win
Cristiano Ronaldo had no doubt that Portugal would progress to the UEFA Nations League semifinals even after missing a penalty on Sunday.ESPN - 21m -
Balogun returns with hat trick in Monaco friendly
United States striker Folarin Balogun has played his first match this year following shoulder surgery.ESPN - 21m -
Güler, Szoboszlai continue feud: 'This guy a joke'
Real Madrid star Arda Güler called Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai "a joke" on Monday after the pair clashed in the UEFA Nations League game between Turkey and Hungary.ESPN - 21m