Lead: No. 3 seed Illinois beat No. 9 seed Iowa 71-59 on Saturday at Toyota Center to secure the program’s first Final Four berth since 2005. Keaton Wagler paced the Illini with 25 points while Tomislav Ivisic added 13 — 11 of them in the second half — and Andrej Stojakovic contributed 17 off the bench. The victory completed a dominant South Region run and sends Illinois to Indianapolis for the national semifinals.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Illinois 71, Iowa 59; Illinois advances to its first Final Four since 2005.
- Leading scorers: Keaton Wagler 25, Andrej Stojakovic 17 (off the bench), Tomislav Ivisic 13 (11 in second half); David Mirkovic 9 points and 12 rebounds.
- Iowa top scorer Bennett Stritz had 24 points; Tate Sage added 10.
- Shooting split: Iowa 11-for-30 from three; Illinois 3-for-17 from three, but 14-for-21 on shots at the rim.
- Rebounding and second chances favored Iowa: 38-21 total rebounds and 16 offensive boards for 13 second-chance points.
- Game flow: Iowa led for 25:01, Illinois for 11:54; Illinois sealed the win with six straight free throws in the final 1:12.
- Next matchup: Illinois will face the winner of Duke vs. UConn in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Background
Illinois entered the NCAA Tournament with questions after a late-season slide, but coach Brad Underwood consistently maintained the team had Final Four potential if the players believed it. The Illini were seeded No. 3 in the South Region and navigated a path that included wins over No. 14, No. 11 and No. 9 seeds to win the bracket.
The program’s last Final Four appearance was in 2005; since the NCAA field expanded in 1975, only the 1989 and 2005 Illinois teams had reached that stage prior to this year. Illinois combined frontcourt size, interior finishing and a renewed defensive effort down the stretch of the tournament to dominate the region with multiple double-digit wins.
Main Event
Iowa jumped out early, hitting five of its first seven attempts and forcing two early Illinois turnovers to build a 12-2 lead. Illinois answered when Andrej Stojakovic provided a spark off the bench — his four quick points capped a 9-0 run that trimmed the deficit to 12-11.
Bennett Stritz scored 10 of Iowa’s next 15 points to push the Hawkeyes in front again and the teams traded leads late into the first half. Illinois missed eight straight shots to close the half and trailed 32-28 at intermission.
The Illini opened the second half with a 5-0 run for their first lead, 33-32, and the game remained tightly contested through a long stretch. Back-to-back hook shots from Tomislav Ivisic keyed an 8-0 run that put Illinois up 58-51 with 4:51 remaining.
Iowa cut the margin to 63-59 after four straight free throws by Tate Sage, but Illinois converted six consecutive free throws in the final 1:12 to protect the lead and clinch the win. Key interior finishing (14-for-21 at the rim) and late-game free-throw execution proved decisive.
Analysis & Implications
On balance, Illinois’ strengths in the paint and its defensive adjustments outweighed Iowa’s perimeter success. Illinois shot poorly from distance (3-for-17) but attacked the rim effectively and capitalized at the line late; that combination offset Iowa’s 11-for-30 mark from three-point range and large rebounding advantage.
The rebounding disparity (Iowa 38, Illinois 21) and 16 offensive rebounds for Iowa show a clear area of vulnerability for Illinois that could be exploited by elite opponents in Indianapolis. However, Illinois’ ability to convert at the rim and to close the game from the foul line reduces that exposure in tight finishes.
Coach Underwood’s message about belief appears to have translated to consistent team performance in the tournament. The Illini’s region run — four victories by 10 points or more — suggests the team has both depth and matchup versatility, making them a legitimate contender in the Final Four despite having faced lower seeds in several rounds.
Comparison & Data
| Illinois | Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 71 | 59 |
| 3PT | 3-17 (17.6%) | 11-30 (36.7%) |
| At rim | 14-21 | — |
| Turnovers leading to points | 8 points off 8 turnovers | — |
| Rebounds | 21 | 38 (16 OR) |
| Leads (time) | 11:54 | 25:01 |
The table highlights the contrast: Illinois converted efficiently at the rim and defended enough to win, while Iowa dominated the glass and hit more threes. For Illinois to advance further, limiting second-chance points and defending the offensive glass will be critical against the likely Final Four opponents.
Reactions & Quotes
Postgame reactions emphasized belief and collective effort. Coach comments and player perspectives reinforced the narrative of a team that overcame late-season doubts to reach college basketball’s biggest stage.
“I believed they were a Final Four team — I told them that, and they believed it.”
Brad Underwood, Illinois head coach (postgame)
Underwood’s remark, echoed in team interviews before the tournament, framed Illinois’ psychological edge; he credited the roster’s buy-in and execution down the stretch for the win.
“We kept playing our game and trusted each other when it mattered most.”
Keaton Wagler, Illinois guard (postgame)
Wagler’s short postgame comment (paraphrased from team interviews) underlines his on-court leadership as the game’s top scorer and the Illini’s primary playmaker this season.
Unconfirmed
- Depth of any minor injuries sustained during the game beyond standard postgame soreness has not been disclosed by either team.
- How matchup specifics (Duke or UConn opponent tendencies) will alter Illinois’ rotation in the Final Four remains subject to coaches’ adjustments and scouting reports.
Bottom Line
Illinois reached the Final Four by leaning on interior scoring, bench production and late-game composure despite being out-rebounded and allowing a high three-point percentage to Iowa. Keaton Wagler’s 25 points and timely contributions from Ivisic and Stojakovic provided the balance Illinois needed to close.
The team still shows a clear rebounding vulnerability that could be exploited by the elite Final Four teams; limiting second-chance opportunities will be a priority in preparation. Nonetheless, the Illini have demonstrated a tournament-caliber combination of size, finishing and confidence that makes them a legitimate threat this weekend in Indianapolis.