What time is Houston vs. Illinois today? Channel, live stream, TV schedule to watch March Madness Sweet 16 game

What time is Houston vs. Illinois today? Channel, live stream, TV schedule to watch March Madness Sweet 16 game originally appeared on The Sporting News .

Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Houston Cougars and Illinois Fighting Illini are each led by one of the top freshmen in America in Kingston Flemings and Keaton Wagler, but the Sweet 16 matchup is a clash of styles for programs looking for their first national championship. Both teams spent the majority of the regular season ranked in the top 10 in the AP poll, and now, they face off with an Elite Eight spot on the line.

Kelvin Sampson's team, which was one basket away from the title in the previous NCAA Tournament, brings the same defensive tenacity that Houston has become known for, currently ranked second in the nation allowing just 62 points per game. Joining Flemings are star freshman Chris Cenac Jr. and returners Milos Uzan, Emmanuel Sharp and Joseph Tugler, all of whom were in San Antonio for the 2025 Final Four.

Now, the South region shifts to Houston, setting up a quasi-home game for the Cougars. The opponent is Brad Underwood's Illinois team, which behind Wagler has a top-20 scoring offense. The Fighting Illini had no problem getting to the second weekend, beating No.