BOX SCORE: Kentucky returns to Sweet 16 thanks to efficient offense and turnover creation

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Ill-8616 — Mont Dawson, Kentucky Sports Radio

Kentucky’s second-round game against Illinois on Saturday evening in Milwaukee was arguably the program’s biggest NCAA Tournament game since facing Auburn in the 2019 Elite Eight. Their reward for winning is another big game next weekend.

The next week will be all about getting ready for Kentucky vs. Tennessee in Indianapolis for this biggest meeting in series history. Now is about recapping Kentucky’s seventh outright upset win of the season.

Mark Pope‘s squad beat a top-20 Illinois team with efficient offense and defensive turnover creation.

Kentucky drops Illinois and is dancing into the Sweet 16. pic.twitter.com/9jUFIOB2tw
— KSR (@KSRonX) March 23, 2025

Kentucky scored 84 points in 71 possessions (1.18 points per possession) against a top-50 Illinois defense. The Cats shot 24-of-47 (51.1%) from two, 8-of-21 (38.1%) from three, and 12-of-20 (60%) from the free throw line. Koby Brea led all scorers with 23 points on 16 shot attempts. Otega Oweh scored 15 points despite only playing six minutes in the first half. Lamont Butler recorded 14 points, five assists, three steals, and looked like the best player on the floor during multiple stretches in the game. Amari Williams flirted with a triple-double (8 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists). The Cats would’ve had a bigger offensive night if not for 14-of-25 shooting on shots at the rim. UK got 20 points off the bench and only had five turnovers.

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Illinois scored 75 points in 70 possessions (1.07 points per possession) on 18-of-30 (60%) shooting from two, 9-of-32 (28.1%) shooting from three, and 12-of-19 (63.2%) shooting from the free throw line. Arizona transfer Kylan Boswell scored 23 points on 14 shots. Tomislav Ivisic added 19 points, but needed 12 three-point attempts to get there. The Illini won the rebounding (44-36) and three-point (+3) battles but ball security (20% turnover rate) was a massive issue. Illinois had 14 turnovers. Nearly half of those (six) belonged to star point guard Kasparas Jakucionis. Those turnovers led to 26 Kentucky points. Those were the main reason Kentucky’s defense held down a top-15 offense. Butler, Andrew Carr, and Collin Chandler each had three steals.

Kentucky’s defense made a big impact in both first weekend wins to begin the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The offense came to life at a good time and could get even better if the Cats improve the lay-up and free throw shooting.