The No. 8 Kentucky Wildcats (9-2) will be hosting the Illinois State Redbirds (8-4) in a non-conference battle on Friday at 7 p.m. ET from Rupp Arena. The Wildcats are 19.5-point favorites in the latest Illinois State vs. Kentucky odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 149.5 (see up-to-date odds for every game this week on our college basketball odds page). 

Before making any Illinois State vs. Kentucky picks, you need to check out the college basketball predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 8 of the 2023-24 season on a 101-64 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $2,000 for $100 players. It is also off to a sizzling 11-3 start on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen HUGE returns!

The model knows Kentucky senior forward Tre Mitchell has been an athletic force in the frontcourt. Mitchell has soft hands in the lane but rebounds the ball consistently. The Pennsylvania native logs 13.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. In his last game, Mitchell finished with 18 points and 12 boards.

The model also knows Illinois State senior guard Darius Burford is a smooth bucket-getter. Burford uses his quickness to penetrate the paint with the ability to finish with either hand. The Illinois native averages a team-high 13.7 points with 2.5 rebounds per game. On Dec. 21 against Southeast Missouri State, he dropped 22 points and four rebounds.

Now, the model has set its sights on Illinois State vs. Kentucky. We can tell you the model is leaning Under on the point total, and it also says one side of the spread hits almost 60% of the time! You ABSOLUTELY need to see the model before locking in any college basketball picks.

Who wins Illinois State vs. Kentucky, and which side of the spread hits almost 60% of the time? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the spread you should be all over, all from that's on a 101-64 roll on top-rated college basketball picks!