Will Illinois win the South Region? Picks, predictions for Sweet 16
Can the Illini pull off the upset and head to the Elite Eight?
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 21: (L-R) Keaton Wagler #23, Ben Humrichous #3, Tomislav Ivisic #13 and David Mirkovic #0 of the Illinois Fighting Illini speak during the second half against the VCU Rams in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 21, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images Let me start with the fact that I’m too young to remember much from Illinois’ run to the national championship game in 2005.
I was eight years old, and while I was a fan of the Illini, I didn’t really understand what was going on. The 20 years since have been a mix of good and bad — mostly bad. So with Illinois on the verge for the second time in three of the Final Four, let me just say that I LOVE this bracket.
If there was ever a year that Illinois would end up making the Final Four again, I love that it will go through the Big Ten West. If the Illini can knock off Houston on Thursday night, they will meet either No. 4 Nebraska or No.
9 Iowa in the Elite Eight. The winner of the Big Ten West championship game will book a trip to Indy. Amazing.