Illinois really did it. The Illini are Final Four bound.
The 71-59 victory is a testament to the power of a team peaking at the right time.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 26: Tomislav Ivisic #13 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates after defeating the Houston Cougars in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Toyota Center on March 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images One more win against a Big Ten team. More specifically, one more win against a Big Ten team they already defeated this season.
That was the barrier between the Fighting Illini and their first trip to the Final Four since two months into the second term of the 43rd POTUS. The draw fell ideally in Illinois’ favor. Hell, they saw Fran and then Iowa.
The stakes were the highest in the history of a rivalry powered by generational hatred, historic betrayal, regional disdain, and recent intensity. Luka Garza didn’t walk through that door. Nobody named Murray took the court on Saturday.
So the Hawkeyes, led by their young coach, took the court to stop Green Street from being more fun than Bourbon Street. This was not the same Iowa squad against whom Illinois triumphed in Iowa City. And And the game that ensued on Saturday is beyond the creativity of any of the brilliant writers in Iowa City.
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