Illinois Fighting Illini fight off Iowa Hawkeyes to reach Final Four for the first time since 2005

The No. 3 Illinois Fighting Illini fought off the No. 9 Iowa Hawkeyes 71-59 to clinch a berth in the NCAA Tournament Final Four for the first time since 2005! Illinois trailed 51-50 in the second half before going on an 8-0 run to seize momentum and finally get back to the Final Four after years of coming up just short.

“This is what kids dream of. I dreamt of it when I was growing up — playing in the Final Four, competing for a national championship. It means a lot but we’re not done just yet,” South Region Most Outstanding Player Keaton Wagler said. Wagler recorded a game-high 25 points to lead Illinois back into the Final Four!

2026 South Region All-Tournament Team

— Bennett Stirtz (Iowa guard)

— Keaton Wagler (Illinois guard)

— Andrej Stojakovic (Illinois guard)

— Pryce Sandfort (Nebraska forward)

— David Mirkovic (Illinois forward)

2026 NCAA Tournament Final Four odds

1. Michigan Wolverines (+160)

2. Arizona Wildcats (+180)

3. Illinois Fighting Illini (+440)

4. UConn Huskies (+650)

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