The Illinois Fighting Illini beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 71-59 in NCAA Men's Basketball Championship South Region Elite 8 on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Toyota Center (Houston). The Illinois outscored the Iowa 43-27 in the 2nd half. Keaton Wagler led the Illinois in points (25). Bennett Stirtz led the Iowa in points (24).
Win probability
100%ILL final
IOWAILL
Tap or hover the line to see the play. Dots mark the biggest swings.
Play by play
End of Game
End of 2nd half
H2 0:20
Keaton Wagler Defensive Rebound.
H2 0:24
Bennett Stirtz misses 27-foot three point jumper
H2 0:26
Kael Combs Offensive Rebound.
H2 0:30
Bennett Stirtz misses 27-foot three point jumper
H2 0:37
+1
Keaton Wagler makes free throw 2 of 2
IOWA 59 - 71 ILL
H2 0:37
+1
Keaton Wagler makes free throw 1 of 2
IOWA 59 - 70 ILL
H2 0:37
Foul on Cooper Koch.
H2 0:37
Andrej Stojakovic Defensive Rebound.
H2 0:39
Kael Combs misses 23-foot three point jumper
H2 0:50
+1
Kylan Boswell makes free throw 2 of 2
IOWA 59 - 69 ILL
H2 0:50
+1
Kylan Boswell makes free throw 1 of 2
IOWA 59 - 68 ILL
H2 0:50
Foul on Kael Combs.
H2 0:58
Ben Humrichous Defensive Rebound.
H2 1:02
Tate Sage misses 24-foot three point jumper
H2 1:12
Illinois Timeout
H2 1:12
+1
Keaton Wagler makes free throw 2 of 2
IOWA 59 - 67 ILL
H2 1:12
+1
Keaton Wagler makes free throw 1 of 2
IOWA 59 - 66 ILL
H2 1:12
Foul on Cooper Koch.
H2 1:19
Andrej Stojakovic Defensive Rebound.
H2 1:22
Cam Manyawu misses 7-foot jumper
H2 1:24
Cam Manyawu Offensive Rebound.
H2 1:28
Bennett Stirtz misses driving layup
H2 1:40
+2
Andrej Stojakovic makes layup (Keaton Wagler assists)
IOWA leadsBiggest lead IOWA 10, ILL 12
ILL
