Arizona and Illinois Advance to Final Four: Recap From Men’s March Madness Elite Eight

The Illini and Wildcats await their Final Four opponents with the winners of Sunday’s games.

Arizona forward Ivan Kharchenkov celebrates in the Wildcats’ Elite Eight win over Purdue. | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

The 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament is down to the Elite Eight with each team vying for a coveted spot in the Final Four next week in Indianapolis. On Saturday, No. 3-seeded Illinois punched the first ticket to Indy, holding off No. 9 Iowa in the South Regional, 71–59. Then, No. 1 Arizona beat No. 2 Purdue, 79–64, in the West Regional.

Men’s March Madness Elite Eight recap

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