Sweet 16: Illinois advances to Elite Eight for 2nd time in 3 years with 65-55 win over Houston
HOUSTON – As Illinois freshman guard Keaton Wagler dribbled out the final seconds Thursday night at the Toyota Center, Tomislav Ivišić walked down the court with his arms raised in triumph at making it through the heavyweight fight. The No. 3 seed Illini survived a gritty defensive battle in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament to top No.
2 seed Houston 65-55. It was Illinois’ lowest-scoring output in a win this season. Illinois advances to its sixth NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearance since 1975 and second in three years.
Since 2000, the Illini also made it to a regional final in 2001, in 2005 during the run to the national title game and in 2024. Sweet 16: No. 9 seed Iowa continues improbable March run, beating Nebraska 77-71 to reach Elite Eight The Illini will play No.
9 seed Iowa, which beat No. 4 seed Nebraska 77-71 in the first game in the South Region on Thursday night to advance to its first Elite Eight since 1987. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:09 p.
m. Saturday in Houston. Illinois turned a two-point halftime lead into a 44-26 advantage with a 17-0 run.
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