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Why Illinois vs UConn Final Four Will Be Different Than First Matchup

Why Illinois vs UConn Final Four Will Be Different Than First Matchup

A lot can change over the course of a college basketball season, even for a Final Four team.That's certainly the case for Illinois and UConn, which squared off on Nov.

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 30
3 Reasons Illinois Will Beat UConn in the Final Four – And One Big Concern

3 Reasons Illinois Will Beat UConn in the Final Four – And One Big Concern

Illinois, the No. 3 seed out of the South Region, and UConn, the No. 2 seed out of the East Region, have each survived and advanced through four rounds of NCAA Tournament action.

College Basketball News / NCAA Basketball on ClutchPoints / March 31
Biggest matchup UConn must exploit to take down Illinois in Final Four

Biggest matchup UConn must exploit to take down Illinois in Final Four

Braylon Mullins and his place in NCAA Tournament history sparked Monday conversations involving UConn basketball. That epic 3-point basket with 0.3 left capped the epic comeback over Duke.

Ben Humrichous News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 30
Incredible Stat Highlights Ben Humrichous' Value in Illinois' Final Four Run

Incredible Stat Highlights Ben Humrichous' Value in Illinois' Final Four Run

Based on the box score alone, Ben Humrichous may not appear to have been very valuable in Illinois' 71-59 win over Iowa on Saturday, which sent the Illini to its first NCAA Tournament Final Four in 21 years.In 19 minutes, the senior forward missed both three-point attempts, grabbed four rebounds and totaled zero points, assists, steals and blocks.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 30
Brad Underwood Reflects on 'Dream Job' and Leading Illinois to Final Four

Brad Underwood Reflects on 'Dream Job' and Leading Illinois to Final Four

Brad Underwood once said he hated losing more than he liked winning. "Not today," he said after guiding Illinois to a 71-59 win over Iowa on Saturday in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 30
ESPN Predictor Names Clear Favorite in Illinois vs UConn Final Four Clash

ESPN Predictor Names Clear Favorite in Illinois vs UConn Final Four Clash

Back on Black Friday last year, while the nation was wrapped up in a holidays shopping craze, UConn was busy dismantling Illinois at New York City's Madison Square Garden – a contest Illini fans would prefer to forget.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 30
How Illinois Reached the Final Four: Turning Points and Breakout Stars

How Illinois Reached the Final Four: Turning Points and Breakout Stars

For Illinois fans, the 2026 NCAA Tournament has been a joyous – albeit anxiety-inducing – ride for the ages. The best part? It’s still not over. The Illini, who are set for a Final Four matchup with UConn on Saturday (5:09 p.m.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 29
Key Stat Shows Brad Underwood's Coaching Growth in Illinois' 2026 Final Four Run

Key Stat Shows Brad Underwood's Coaching Growth in Illinois' 2026 Final Four Run

Let’s go down the list of Illinois’ regular-season losses: Alabama (Illini halftime lead of 42-41). Nebraska (tied at 37 at the break). Michigan State (Illinois up four at half).

College Basketball News / Larry Brown Sports / March 29
Illinois star did not quite understand how to cut down the net

Illinois star did not quite understand how to cut down the net

The Illinois Fighting Illini advanced to the Final Four on Saturday, and one of their players literally did not know how to celebrate. Freshman forward David Mirkovic did not seem to know what to do when presented with his chance to cut down the nets following the team’s 71-59 win over Iowa at Toyota Center in Houston, Tex.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 29
College Basketball Experts React to Illinois' Elite Eight Win Over Iowa

College Basketball Experts React to Illinois' Elite Eight Win Over Iowa

Just over two weeks ago, Illinois walked off the United Center floor with heads hung low. After the Illini fell to Wisconsin in overtime of the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Tournament – their fifth loss in nine games – they were set to enter the NCAA Tournament without one iota of momentum.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 29
How Illinois Beat Iowa: Five Game-Defining Stats From Their Elite Eight Win

How Illinois Beat Iowa: Five Game-Defining Stats From Their Elite Eight Win

Although the final score on Saturday indicated a 12-point advantage in Illinois' favor – a 71-59 win over Iowa – the Elite Eight clash was anything but a one-sided bout.

Brad Underwood News / Bleacher Report / March 28
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 28
3 Instant Observations From Illinois' NCAA Tournament Win Over Iowa

3 Instant Observations From Illinois' NCAA Tournament Win Over Iowa

Somebody call the Federal Reserve. By the looks of it, Illinois may be too big to fail. The third-seeded Illini hung on through a rough start to Saturday's Elite Eight matchup with No.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Athlon Sports / March 28
Illinois Advances to NCAA Tournament Final Four for First Time Since 2005

Illinois Advances to NCAA Tournament Final Four for First Time Since 2005

For more than two decades, it lingered. The near-misses, the frustration, the feeling that Illinois was always close but never quite back where it once stood.

Watch: Illinois advances to Final Four with narrow victory over Iowa

Watch: Illinois advances to Final Four with narrow victory over Iowa

The Illinois Fighting Illini used hot second-half shooting to take down the Iowa Hawkeyes 71-59 on Saturday, punching their ticket to the Final Four. Iowa hit the ground running on both ends of the floor, jumping out to a 9-0 lead before Keaton Wagler finally put Illinois on the board.

Brad Underwood News / College Sports Only / March 26
Brad Underwood Not Phased By True Away Game in Sweet 16

Brad Underwood Not Phased By True Away Game in Sweet 16

Playing a true away game in the Sweet 16 is no easy feat, but it’ll take a lot more to phase Illinois head coach Brad Underwood than playing against Houston in Houston, TX.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / March 24
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Athlon Sports / March 22
Illinois Is The Only School In The Nation Doing This And It’s Not Even Close

Illinois Is The Only School In The Nation Doing This And It’s Not Even Close

There’s a tendency this time of year to get lost in the moment. A big win, a hot shooting night, a team catching fire at exactly the right time. That’s what March is built on.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Total Apex Sports / March 22
Illinois Fighting Illini Dominate VCU Rams Behind Andrej Stojakovic Brilliance to Advance to Sweet Sixteen

Illinois Fighting Illini Dominate VCU Rams Behind Andrej Stojakovic Brilliance to Advance to Sweet Sixteen

There would be no epic comeback this time around for the VCU Rams, as the Illinois Fighting Illini cruised to an easy 76-55 win in Greenville on Saturday night to secure a second trip to the Sweet Sixteen in the past three seasons.

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