MILKWAUKEE, Wis. (WCIA) – Illinois men’s basketball saw its season come to an end on Sunday in the round of 32.

The Illini lost to Kentucky, 84-75. Illinois won a singular 2025 NCAA tournament game, beating Xavier in the opening round on Friday.

Illinois trailed by just five at halftime but Kentucky started the second half blazing hot. The Wildcats began the second half making 14 of their first 18 shots from the field.

Turnovers haunted Illinois in the loss. Underwood’s team lost the turnover battle 14-5. Kylan Boswell led U of I with 23 points. Tomislav Ivisic scored 19. Koby Brea scored 23 for UK. Illinois won the rebounding battle 44-36.

After trailing by as many as 16, Illinois pulled within six with 1:36 to play but couldn’t complete the late comeback.

Will Riley struggled in the loss. The Illinois freshman scored just five points and went 1-for-7 from the field after scoring 22 against the Musketeers in his NCAA tournament debut.

Illinois finished the 2024-25 season 22-13.