APTOPIX NCAA Iowa Illinois Basketball

Illinois' Keaton Wagler celebrates after Illinois beat Iowa in an Elite Eight game in the NCAA college basketball tournament Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Houston.

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Illinois powers its way to its first Final Four in 21 years, beating Iowa 71-59

Illinois powers its way to its first Final Four in 21 years, beating Iowa 71-59

Freshman Keaton Wagler scored 25 points and Illinois ended Iowa’s underdog March Madness run by dominating in the frontcourt, beating the Hawkeyes 71-59 to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2005. This will be the sixth trip to the Final Four for Illinois, which has never won a national title. The Fighting Illinio will face either Duke or UConn next weekend in Indianapolis. The much taller Illini outrebounded Iowa 38-21 in the South Region final. David Mirkovic led the way with 12 rebounds. Wagler was named MVP of the region. Bennett Stirtz scored 24 points for the Hawkeyes, who made an impressive run under first-year coach Ben McCollum.