Illinois defeats Houston 65-55, advances to Elite Eight
Tap title to read story
HOUSTON — Illinois defeated No. 2 seed Houston 65-55 Thursday night at the Toyota Center, advancing to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight after a 17-0 second-half run and balanced contributions from David Mirkovic and Keaton Wagler.
The win, achieved with Illinois holding a rebounding edge and limiting Houston to about 34% shooting, sends the Illini to face No. 9 seed Iowa on Saturday; coaches cited defense and interior play as decisive elements.
More context
Timeline
- 1. Regular season and conference play concluded, determining NCAA tournament seeding.
- 2. Illinois defeated Penn and VCU to reach the Sweet 16.
- 3. Thursday night: Illinois beat Houston 65-55 at the Toyota Center in Houston.
- 4. Illinois opened the second half with a 17-0 run to build separation.
- 5. Saturday: Illinois is scheduled to play Iowa in the Elite Eight.
Why it matters
If you're a fan of college basketball, Illinois' win is big news. It shows that teamwork and good defense can lead to victory, even against higher-ranked teams. If you're an Illini supporter, it's time to celebrate and gear up for the Elite Eight match against Iowa.
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
