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Final Score: Illinois 71, Iowa 59.
Illinois advances to the Final Four, with its size and physicality wearing out the smaller Hawkeyes. The game turned in the last eight minutes with Illinois finally getting downhill and scoring inside at will after trying to dribble through Iowa for too much of the second half. The Illini had a 44 to 12 advantage in points in the paint (the Illini were only 3 for 17 from three). Tomislav Ivisic was huge in the second half, scoring 11 of his 13 points and hitting two big baskets with just under six minutes to go to turn the game in favor of Illinois. The Illini were led by freshman guard Keaton Wagler (25 points) and Andrej Stojakovic (17 points). Illinois played an Iowa game, and it was quite ugly for the first 32 minutes offensively. Illinois finally got some rhythm late after a sluggish and tight first half. Ultimately, Illinois won this game with its defense and rebounding, with a 32 to 18 advantage on the boards. By the end of the game Bennett Stirtz looked completely gassed, finishing with 24 points in 40 minutes. History shows that it is just never easy for the Illini during the Elite Eight, and tonight was a tough and, at times, infuriating game. Simply put, Illinois had the bigger dudes and better athletes when it mattered. Iowa's incredible run comes to an end, and Illinois advances to Indianapolis to play either Duke or UCONN. Life is good! Make the jump to see the game's final stats and read my live running reactions throughout this Elite Eight victory for the Illini.
Second Half, Final Four Minutes Live Reactions
Illinois leads 67-59 with 1:12 remaining. Timeout Illinois. Illinois has turned this game by getting downhill. Wagler got into the lane and fed Stojakovic for a layup. Stojakovic has 17 points off the bench (7/9). Iowa is one of its last nine from the field.
Second Half, Under-4 Timeout Live Reactions
Illinois leads 60-52 with 4:23 remaining. Timeout Iowa. Illinois is getting downhill, with Wagler hitting a floater and Mirkovic feeding Zvonimir Ivisic for a dunk. Illinois is finally getting the ball inside more consistently. The Illini must close this out on the defensive end. Illinois' size has worn down the Hawkeyes. Illinois has only 3 threes tonight (3/15). There cannot be any let down as Iowa is a hard team to kill. Illinois must feed the post every time. The Illini are on a 10-1 run. Iowa has hit one of its last eight shots. Illinois has a 20-2 advantage with points in the paint this half.
Illinois leads 56-51 with 5:41 remaining. Timeout Iowa. Illinois is on a 6-0 run, with Ivisic getting two big buckets inside after Mirkovic free throws. Illinois is finally pounding the ball inside. The Illini must extend this lead. Illinois is limiting Iowa to one shot and has a 26-13 advantage on the boards. Iowa hasn't scored in three minutes.
Illinois leads 56-51 with 5:41 remaining. Timeout Iowa. Illinois is on a 6-0 run, with Ivisic getting two big buckets inside after Mirkovic free throws. Illinois is finally pounding the ball inside. The Illini must extend this lead. Illinois is limiting Iowa to one shot and has a 26-13 advantage on the boards. Iowa hasn't scored in three minutes.
Second Half, Under-8 Timeout Live Reactions
Illinois leads 50-49 with 7:27 remaining. Stojakovic just scored a tough layup, though Stirtz was fouled on an ensuing drive. I am flabbergasted as to why Illinois wants to play this stuck-in-the-mud game with the Hawkeyes. It is beyond comprehension. Illinois gets a defensive rebound and is content with walking it up. The half-court offenses are brutal, but Iowa will get better shots out of their motion than Illinois will in this ball-screen, iso nonsense. Both teams have 7 fouls. Expect a lot of foul calls and free thows.
Second Half, Under-12 Timeout Live Reactions
The game is tied at 46 with 11:22 remaining. For some reason, Illinois wants to play this half-court pace. I don't like where this is headed. Officiating is starting to affect this game. Stojakovic was called for a phantom call, and then the refs just bailed out Wagler, calling a foul on the guard after he forced a deep three, leading to what should have been an Iowa layup. That is garbage officiating, costing the Hawkeyes two points.
Second Half, Under-16 Timeout Live Reactions
Illinois leads 39-38 with 15:01 remaining. Ivisic and Mirkovic have two inside buckets, and Ivisic hit a big three. I don't understand why Illinois is going zone and not pushing the ball off Iowa misses. In the half court, the Illinois offense is grinding and too dribble heavy. Iowa has two threes in this stretch, a lucky one by Banks and an open three in the zone by Cooper Koch.
Halftime Adjustments
Illinois is playing this game at Iowa's pace. The Illini need to move the ball. It is too much dribbling and standing between Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic. Iowa just needs to keep playing its game. Illinois needs to get the ball inside and finish inside. The Illini are 5/10 on layups. It's hard to say but Mirkovic is playing like a freshman right now. If Illinois does not come out and throw the first punch, and lets this game continue at this pace, Iowa is going to win. The Hawkeyes are better built for this type of game, and Bennett Stirtz will hit tough shots. Illinois must get something from the three-point line, though not just jack shots. That offensive effort in the first half was the bad Illinois offense that was seen for too much of the latter part of the Big Ten schedule. Illinois has been very good out of halftime in the tournament, but the Illini look very tight to me. It's time to loosen up and leave it all on the floor during these last 20 minutes or a golden opportunity is going to be wasted! Iowa has 7 turnovers, but so does Illinois. The Hawkeyes will take that trade off all day. The lack of assists is very concerning for Illinois, which needs to use its size to its advantage down low. Iowa is shooting 57%, Illinois is shooting 37%. I hate this drop coverage. Illinois is causing some Iowa droughts, but the Illini are not being aggressive enough. Illinois did not hit a field goal in the last five minutes.
Halftime Score: Iowa 32, Illinois 28.
Illinois is lucky to be down four. Illinois' offense has been brutal, with a lot of baskets off broken plays. If the Illini play another half like that, Illinois is going home. Very disappointing. The Illini are reverting to Keaton Wagler having to do everything. No ball movement. No post touches. Unbelievably bad. Illinois had several chances to take the lead and missed bunnies, which you can't do against Iowa, which will get a couple of shots to go on quick runs. This is an Iowa game, right where the Hawkeyes want it. David Mirkovic is 1-6 with 2 points, Keaton Wagler is 4-10. Iowa is 6/12 on threes and has 8 assists to just one for Illinois, which is 1/8 from three. Here are the halftime stats.
First Half, Under-4 Timeout Live Reactions
Iowa leads 27-26 with 3:39 remaining. Stirtz has 15 of Iowa's 27 points. Illinois is on a 6-0 run. The Illini will have the ball out of the timeout. Illinois has a 9 to 2 advantage on second-half points. Stojakovic has 8 points on 4-for-4 from the field. Illinois still does not have much offensive rhythm but will have a chance to take lead. The Illini need to get Mirkovic and Ivisic involved. Iowa is 5/11 from three, Illinois is 1/6.
THE DELAY TOOK 11 MINUTES!
THE DELAY TOOK 11 MINUTES!
There is a delay in the game as the shot clock horn is going off for seven straight minutes. So far, Stirtz has 10 points on 4/6 shooting. He had 12 during the first game. Illinois has 5 turnovers, Iowa has 4 turnovers. The horn has finally stopped. Illinois has 8 points off Iowa turnovers, Iowa has 7 off Illinois turnovers. This is a huge seven-minute stretch for the Illini, which can't let Iowa get an 8-10 point lead. Wagler has 7 points on 3/4 from the field.
First Half, Under-8 Timeout Live Reactions
Iowa leads 22-20 with 7:51 remaining. Illinois has five turnovers. Mirkovic is struggling a bit adjusting to this game. Wagler has gotten off, with a three and tough two. Iowa is shooting 61.5% (8/13), Illinois is shooting 8/15 (53.3%). Illinois has been the tighter team. The Illini need to loosen up and get the ball moving a bit. Illinois leads 8 to 4 on the glass, including 5 to 1 on the offensive glass. The Illini have gotten a couple of beneficial calls, including an offensive goal tend that was missed on a Tomislav Ivicic tip in. Cooper Koch and Alvaro Folgueiras have not gotten a shot up yet.
First Half, Under-12 Timeout Live Reactions
Iowa leads 15-11 with 11:47 remaining. Illinois was on a 9-0 run, keyed by four points off the bench from Andrej Stojakovic. Illinois had four offensive rebounds during this stretch, including a David Mirkovic layup off a missed field goal. Illinois is starting to pile up fouls on the Hawkeyes. Iowa has five fouls. Illinois is 3/5 from the free throw line. Bennett Stirtz just ended a three-minute drought with a ridiculous three with Stojakovic draped on him.
First Half, Under-16 Timeout Live Reactions
Iowa leads 12-2 with 15:55 remaining. The Illini look tight, Iowa does not. The Hawkeyes have two threes (from Bennett Stirtz and Kael Combs). Illinois has two turnovers. Keaton Wagler has one foul. Iowa is 5/6 from the field. Illinois is 1/5. Illinois needs to get up on the ball. This drop coverage is not ideal.
Prediction: My heart says Illinois, my head says Iowa.
(I am going to follow my heart today!)
If you would have told me on January 11th when Illinois and Iowa first played that these teams would meet again in the Elite Eight, I would have asked you, "What are you smoking?" and "Can I have some?" It's safe to say this is an Elite Eight game no one saw coming. Additionally, if you would have told me when the brackets were released nearly two weeks ago that Illinois would make the Elite Eight and be playing #9 Iowa with a shot at the Final Four, I would have been equally incredulous, though feeling quite positive about the Illini's chances. So why I am so extremely nervous about today's game, up since 4:30 a.m. with Iowa the first thought on my waking mind? Well, it's because Iowa is playing incredible basketball at the moment, led by mastermind Head Coach Ben McCollum and his floor general/coach on the floor Bennett Stirtz.
Iowa has had an amazing run to the Elite Eight, controlling tempo and pace against Clemson, Florida and Nebraska. The Hawkeyes are a superbly confident team that doesn't just believe it can win, it knows it will win. That attitude was especially apparent against Nebraska as the Hawkeyes made all the right plays late. Iowa is playing great team ball, with players like Alvaro Folgueiras, Cooper Koch and Tate Sage especially stepping up in March while fellow Hawkeyes' Kael Combs, Cam Manyawu, and Tavion Banks do a lot of little things that don't always show up in the box score. There's a reason why McCollum won four Division-II championships at Northwest Missouri State and was immediately successful at Drake; he is as good of a basketball coach as there is in the game. His tactical brilliance scares me to death, especially late in games. For Iowa to be making an Elite Eight run in McCollum's first year is a testament to his coaching ability and not a good sign for the rest of the Big Ten in years to come.
While Stirtz has to take and make a lot of tough shots for this team, he is scary with the ball in his hands late in games, as he always make the right decision. Simply put, Stirtz is an absolute killer, and his winning partnership with McCollum at Northwest Missouri State, Drake and now Iowa is unparalleled. This Iowa team is giving me vibes of the 2000 Wisconsin Badgers' team that made an improbable run to the Final Four as a #9 seed. Of course, that Wisconsin team faced a Big Ten foe, Purdue, in the Elite Eight. Is Iowa destined to have a similar fate, defeating a Big Ten opponent in the Elite Eight en route to an unexpected, out-of-nowhere Final Four run? I wouldn’t be surprised.
While Iowa has had a dream run these past two weeks, Illinois has had the dream season, with freshmen Keaton Wagler rising from unheralded recruit to second-team All American. This Illinois squad has been one of the more enjoyable Illini teams I have ever watched, with great chemistry and personality, as seen in fellow freshman phenom David Mirkovic and the Ivisic twins, Tomislav and Zvonimir. With Wagler headed to the NBA, no Illini fan wants to see this Illinois team’s season end. How about the Illini advance for one more weekend of basketball!
While known for its offense this season, Illinois has stepped up its individual and team defense during the NCAA Tournament, beginning with VCU in the second round and continuing with Houston in the Sweet Sixteen. This Illini team seems locked in and must bring a similar defensive effort against the never-say-die Hawkeyes, who can get back into a game quickly.
While McCollum is performing a coaching miracle this tournament, Illinois Head Coach Brad Underwood and his staff should be commended as well. The Illini have made post touches a priority in the tournament and have devised some great defensive game plans, especially against Houston! Illinois has been buoyed by outstanding bench play from Andrej Stojakovic, whose ability to get to and finish at the rim, and score in spurts, has been unmatched. Illinois must continue to get Tomi Ivisic involved, as his activity has been key in the Illini's run so far. Illinois has also had great success facilitating offense out of the posting/passing ability of Mirkovic, who is such a smart player and an ultimate competitor. I never would have guessed Illinois would have been able to replace the heartbreaking transfer of Morez Johnson, Jr., with a more diverse and skilled player in Mirkovic who has grown to become an all-time Illini favorite of mine.
Ultimately, Illinois is the more talented team, though Iowa is clicking on all cylinders. If Illinois is going to advance to the Final Four, the Illini will have to match the defensive intensity of the Houston game. This could be a legacy game for Champaign native Kylan Boswell, who will have the defensive assignment of Stirtz. Boswell must wear out Stirtz, and Illinois must wear out Iowa down low, using its size to its advantage.
Folgueiras is the key player to watch as Illinois held him to eight points earlier this season. When Folgueiras scores double figures, Iowa is hard to beat. Also, don't sleep on Tavion Banks, who had a big game against the Illini in January. Historically, Illinois has struggled with players like Banks who can thrive in the mid-range game, though the Illini have been stellar this NCAA Tournament at defending this area of the floor. As for Stirtz, he is going to score more than 12 points. Can the Illini make it difficult on Stirtz and keep Iowa’s role players at bay? Folguerias, Koch and Sage have been clutch from deep during the NCAA Tournament.
Like the first game between these two teams, Illinois needs to get off to a quick start and build and hold a lead. Iowa will not blink. If this game is close late, the advantage goes to Iowa, which has won three tight games. Illinois is going to need 40 minutes of laser focus to clip this soaring Hawkeyes team. Whatever team wins the rebounding battle will likely win this game. Illinois has the size advantage, but Iowa’s team rebounding has been superb.
While Iowa feels like a tourney team of destiny at this moment, Illinois has been building up to this moment for the last nine seasons under Underwood. While there was the disappointment of losing to Loyola (Chicago) in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament and getting drilled by a superior UCONN team in the Elite Eight two years ago, this Illini team has felt different and special, with the exception of the end of the Big Ten season. The time is now for the Illini to break through. Illinois will never have another freshmen duo like Wagler and Mirkovic, and never have a better opportunity to make a rather unexpected Final Four run. This is what I have dreamed about as an Illini fan, Illinois getting to the Final Four when it wasn't necessarily expected as opposed to doing so as #1 seeds in 1989 and 2005, though memorable Elite Eight victories those seasons were not without conflict!
In the Sweet Sixteen, my heart said Illinois while my head said Houston. I made the mistake of picking Houston. I have very similar vibes today, with my heart saying Illinois and my head saying Iowa, given the way the Hawkeyes are playing and making all of their breaks. For once, I am going to go with my heart as Illinois has been playing its best basketball of the season during March Madness. It can be argued that no team, with the exception of Arizona, has played three better games than Illinois has during this tournament.
Though it will be incredibly difficult, Illinois will beat Iowa and advance to the Final Four for the first time in 21 seasons! If Iowa is to win, it will be hard for Illinois fans to get over this game for years to come, though I will tip my cap to McCollum, Stirtz and company as this run has been improbable and remarkable. There is nothing scarier than a team that believes this late in the tournament. Both teams certainly believe they are going to the Final Four!
Iowa has had an amazing run to the Elite Eight, controlling tempo and pace against Clemson, Florida and Nebraska. The Hawkeyes are a superbly confident team that doesn't just believe it can win, it knows it will win. That attitude was especially apparent against Nebraska as the Hawkeyes made all the right plays late. Iowa is playing great team ball, with players like Alvaro Folgueiras, Cooper Koch and Tate Sage especially stepping up in March while fellow Hawkeyes' Kael Combs, Cam Manyawu, and Tavion Banks do a lot of little things that don't always show up in the box score. There's a reason why McCollum won four Division-II championships at Northwest Missouri State and was immediately successful at Drake; he is as good of a basketball coach as there is in the game. His tactical brilliance scares me to death, especially late in games. For Iowa to be making an Elite Eight run in McCollum's first year is a testament to his coaching ability and not a good sign for the rest of the Big Ten in years to come.
While Stirtz has to take and make a lot of tough shots for this team, he is scary with the ball in his hands late in games, as he always make the right decision. Simply put, Stirtz is an absolute killer, and his winning partnership with McCollum at Northwest Missouri State, Drake and now Iowa is unparalleled. This Iowa team is giving me vibes of the 2000 Wisconsin Badgers' team that made an improbable run to the Final Four as a #9 seed. Of course, that Wisconsin team faced a Big Ten foe, Purdue, in the Elite Eight. Is Iowa destined to have a similar fate, defeating a Big Ten opponent in the Elite Eight en route to an unexpected, out-of-nowhere Final Four run? I wouldn’t be surprised.
While Iowa has had a dream run these past two weeks, Illinois has had the dream season, with freshmen Keaton Wagler rising from unheralded recruit to second-team All American. This Illinois squad has been one of the more enjoyable Illini teams I have ever watched, with great chemistry and personality, as seen in fellow freshman phenom David Mirkovic and the Ivisic twins, Tomislav and Zvonimir. With Wagler headed to the NBA, no Illini fan wants to see this Illinois team’s season end. How about the Illini advance for one more weekend of basketball!
While known for its offense this season, Illinois has stepped up its individual and team defense during the NCAA Tournament, beginning with VCU in the second round and continuing with Houston in the Sweet Sixteen. This Illini team seems locked in and must bring a similar defensive effort against the never-say-die Hawkeyes, who can get back into a game quickly.
While McCollum is performing a coaching miracle this tournament, Illinois Head Coach Brad Underwood and his staff should be commended as well. The Illini have made post touches a priority in the tournament and have devised some great defensive game plans, especially against Houston! Illinois has been buoyed by outstanding bench play from Andrej Stojakovic, whose ability to get to and finish at the rim, and score in spurts, has been unmatched. Illinois must continue to get Tomi Ivisic involved, as his activity has been key in the Illini's run so far. Illinois has also had great success facilitating offense out of the posting/passing ability of Mirkovic, who is such a smart player and an ultimate competitor. I never would have guessed Illinois would have been able to replace the heartbreaking transfer of Morez Johnson, Jr., with a more diverse and skilled player in Mirkovic who has grown to become an all-time Illini favorite of mine.
Ultimately, Illinois is the more talented team, though Iowa is clicking on all cylinders. If Illinois is going to advance to the Final Four, the Illini will have to match the defensive intensity of the Houston game. This could be a legacy game for Champaign native Kylan Boswell, who will have the defensive assignment of Stirtz. Boswell must wear out Stirtz, and Illinois must wear out Iowa down low, using its size to its advantage.
Folgueiras is the key player to watch as Illinois held him to eight points earlier this season. When Folgueiras scores double figures, Iowa is hard to beat. Also, don't sleep on Tavion Banks, who had a big game against the Illini in January. Historically, Illinois has struggled with players like Banks who can thrive in the mid-range game, though the Illini have been stellar this NCAA Tournament at defending this area of the floor. As for Stirtz, he is going to score more than 12 points. Can the Illini make it difficult on Stirtz and keep Iowa’s role players at bay? Folguerias, Koch and Sage have been clutch from deep during the NCAA Tournament.
Like the first game between these two teams, Illinois needs to get off to a quick start and build and hold a lead. Iowa will not blink. If this game is close late, the advantage goes to Iowa, which has won three tight games. Illinois is going to need 40 minutes of laser focus to clip this soaring Hawkeyes team. Whatever team wins the rebounding battle will likely win this game. Illinois has the size advantage, but Iowa’s team rebounding has been superb.
While Iowa feels like a tourney team of destiny at this moment, Illinois has been building up to this moment for the last nine seasons under Underwood. While there was the disappointment of losing to Loyola (Chicago) in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament and getting drilled by a superior UCONN team in the Elite Eight two years ago, this Illini team has felt different and special, with the exception of the end of the Big Ten season. The time is now for the Illini to break through. Illinois will never have another freshmen duo like Wagler and Mirkovic, and never have a better opportunity to make a rather unexpected Final Four run. This is what I have dreamed about as an Illini fan, Illinois getting to the Final Four when it wasn't necessarily expected as opposed to doing so as #1 seeds in 1989 and 2005, though memorable Elite Eight victories those seasons were not without conflict!
In the Sweet Sixteen, my heart said Illinois while my head said Houston. I made the mistake of picking Houston. I have very similar vibes today, with my heart saying Illinois and my head saying Iowa, given the way the Hawkeyes are playing and making all of their breaks. For once, I am going to go with my heart as Illinois has been playing its best basketball of the season during March Madness. It can be argued that no team, with the exception of Arizona, has played three better games than Illinois has during this tournament.
Though it will be incredibly difficult, Illinois will beat Iowa and advance to the Final Four for the first time in 21 seasons! If Iowa is to win, it will be hard for Illinois fans to get over this game for years to come, though I will tip my cap to McCollum, Stirtz and company as this run has been improbable and remarkable. There is nothing scarier than a team that believes this late in the tournament. Both teams certainly believe they are going to the Final Four!
Game Preview and Review
Back on January 11th, Illinois defeated Iowa, 66-60, in Iowa City. This Sunday morning game was broadcast nationally on Fox. The Illini got out to a double-digit lead early and led 35-24 at the break. The Illini were able to stave off an Iowa rally in the second half. Illinois got great perimeter scoring balance from Keaton Wagler (19 points), Andrej Stojakovic and Kylan Boswell (17 points each). Stojakovic was starting for the Illini at the time, but has since been replaced by Jake Davis and become an offensive spark plug off the bench. Illinois held Iowa star Bennett Stirtz to just 12 points. Stirtz also had four fouls. The Hawkeyes got 16 points and 13 points from Tavion Banks and Tate Sage, respectively, off the bench.
I am not going to lie. I watched the first half of January's Illinois-Iowa game intently but then turned my attention to the NFL playoffs in the second half, with the Buffalo Bills playing against the Jacksonville Jaguars and the San Francisco 49ers going against the Philadelphia Eagles. Of course, the night before Illinois and Iowa, the Chicago Bears rallied to defeat the Green Bay Packers so I was definitely recovering from that game, wondering how the Bears were able to steal another victory from the Packers.
Here are the highlights and stats from January's Illinois - Iowa game, the only time these teams played each other this season. Some key stats that stand out are Illinois winning the rebounding advantage (34 to 28), making one more three than Iowa (10 to 9), and shooting 49.1% for the game. Point paints were tied at 36 apiece. While each game is its own entity, these stats reveal how difficult beating Iowa is going to be. It feels like a lot of things went well for Illinois and yet Iowa only lost by six, though winning at Carver Hawkeye Arena is never easy, especially for the Illini. The Illini were poised to stave off Iowa that day and will need to be poised again today! Two things are certain: 1) Illinois is going to need both David Mirkovic and Tomislav Ivicic to score more than seven points each! 2) Stirtz is scoring more than 12 points today! At the end of the day, this game could come down to which superstar, Stirtz or Wagler, is better during crunch time. It's hard to bet against either player!
I am not going to lie. I watched the first half of January's Illinois-Iowa game intently but then turned my attention to the NFL playoffs in the second half, with the Buffalo Bills playing against the Jacksonville Jaguars and the San Francisco 49ers going against the Philadelphia Eagles. Of course, the night before Illinois and Iowa, the Chicago Bears rallied to defeat the Green Bay Packers so I was definitely recovering from that game, wondering how the Bears were able to steal another victory from the Packers.
Here are the highlights and stats from January's Illinois - Iowa game, the only time these teams played each other this season. Some key stats that stand out are Illinois winning the rebounding advantage (34 to 28), making one more three than Iowa (10 to 9), and shooting 49.1% for the game. Point paints were tied at 36 apiece. While each game is its own entity, these stats reveal how difficult beating Iowa is going to be. It feels like a lot of things went well for Illinois and yet Iowa only lost by six, though winning at Carver Hawkeye Arena is never easy, especially for the Illini. The Illini were poised to stave off Iowa that day and will need to be poised again today! Two things are certain: 1) Illinois is going to need both David Mirkovic and Tomislav Ivicic to score more than seven points each! 2) Stirtz is scoring more than 12 points today! At the end of the day, this game could come down to which superstar, Stirtz or Wagler, is better during crunch time. It's hard to bet against either player!
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