MILWAUKEE, WI. (WKYT) - The 3-seeded Kentucky Wildcats (24-11) topped six-seed Illinois (22-13) 84-75 inside Fiserv Forum Sunday night in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament second round, advancing to their first Sweet 16 since 2019.

Senior guard Koby Brea led the Cats with 23 points, going 10-16 from the field and adding six rebounds. Senior point guard Lamont Butler had 14, and junior guard Otega Oweh scored 15 in the win (6-12 FG).

The Wildcats shot 47.1 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from three-point range, but the Fightin’ Illini did out-rebounded them 43-35. A big difference maker was UK’s defense-- they turned 14 steals into 26 points.

Mark Pope is now 2-2 in NCAA Tournament play as a head coach.

UK will get round three against two-seed Tennessee (29-7) in Indianapolis, IN. at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, March 28 for the Sweet 16. The Wildcats swept the Volunteers in the regular season, 78-73 in Knoxville, TN. on January 28, and at Rupp Arena 75-64 on February 11.

You can find the full men’s bracket here.