SPORTS

Illinois and Iowa Clash for Final Four Saturday

▪

Read, Watch or Listen

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 11

Center 100%

Sources: 11

HOUSTON — No. 3 Illinois will face No. 9 Iowa in the NCAA Elite Eight on Saturday at 5:09 p.m. CT at the Toyota Center, with Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler and Iowa senior Bennett Stirtz highlighted as central matchups for a berth in the Final Four. The game follows Illinois' stretch of tournament wins over Penn, VCU and Houston this week and Iowa's upset victories over Florida and Nebraska; coaches Brad Underwood and Ben McCollum outlined game plans, and the winner will advance to the Final Four as broadcast on TBS and truTV.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Aggregated From:

Sports Illustrated ESPN.com

Timeline of Events

Jan. 11 — Illinois defeated Iowa 75-69 during the regular season in Iowa City.
Mid-March — NCAA Tournament seedings placed Illinois as No. 3 and Iowa as No. 9.
Round of 32 — Iowa upset Florida; Illinois advanced past earlier opponents.
Sweet 16 (Thursday) — Illinois beat Houston, with freshman double-doubles noted for Wagler and Mirkovic.
Elite Eight (Saturday) — Illinois and Iowa scheduled to play at 5:09 p.m. CT for a Final Four berth.

Why This Matters to You

This game is a big deal for college basketball fans. The Illinois-Iowa clash will decide who advances to the NCAA Final Four. If you're a fan of either team, or just love a good underdog story, this is a game you won't want to miss.

The Bottom Line

No. 3 Illinois and No. 9 Iowa are set to battle it out on Saturday at 5:09 p.m. CT. With Illinois' freshman Keaton Wagler and Iowa's senior Bennett Stirtz in the spotlight, it's sure to be a thrilling match. Tune in on TBS or truTV. Worth forwarding if you know a college basketball enthusiast.