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Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood looks on before an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

ESPN Predictor Names Clear Favorite in Illinois vs UConn Final Four Clash

Jackson Langendorf

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Mar 30, 2026

Illinois is favored against UConn in the Final Four.

Illinois vs. UConn Opening Odds, Preview for March Madness Final Four

Iain MacMillan

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Mar 30, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) controls the ball against Iowa Hawkeyes guard Tate Sage (24) in the first half during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

How Illinois Reached the Final Four: Turning Points and Breakout Stars

Jackson Langendorf

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Mar 30, 2026

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley hoists the east regional trophy after defeating the Duke Blue Devils in an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

First Look at Illinois Basketball's Final Four Opponent: UConn Huskies

Pranav Hegde

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Mar 30, 2026

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The UConn Huskies and head coach Dan Hurley are undervalued to win the NCAA Tournament.

Odds to Win NCAA Championship: Every Team's Odds to Win March Madness Ahead of Final Four

Peter Dewey

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Mar 30, 2026

The Michigan Wolverines and forward Yaxel Lendeborg are favored in the Final Four.

NCAA Tournament Final Four Opening Odds for Every Game: Illinois, Michigan Open as Favorites

Peter Dewey

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Mar 30, 2026

Michigan players pick up forward Yaxel Lendeborg to celebrate winning the Midwest Regional final over Tennessee.

The Men’s Final Four Has One Massive Showdown and Plenty of Historic Storylines

Pat Forde

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Mar 30, 2026

Mar 26, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Key Stat Shows Brad Underwood's Coaching Growth in Illinois' 2026 Final Four Run

Jackson Langendorf

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Mar 29, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) controls the ball against Iowa Hawkeyes guard Tate Sage (24) in the first half during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Andrej Stojakovic’s Two-Way Impact Lifted Illinois to the Final Four

Pranav Hegde

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Mar 29, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) controls the ball against Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch (8) in the first half during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Keaton Wagler Would Not Be Denied in Illinois’ Final Four-Clinching Win

Pranav Hegde

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Mar 29, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Would Illinois Rather Face Duke or UConn in the Final Four?

Jackson Langendorf

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Mar 29, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) controls the ball against Iowa Hawkeyes guard Kael Combs (11) in the first half during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

College Basketball Experts React to Illinois' Elite Eight Win Over Iowa

Jackson Langendorf

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Mar 29, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood celebrates after cutting down the net after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

How Illinois Beat Iowa: Five Game-Defining Stats From Their Elite Eight Win

Jackson Langendorf

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Mar 29, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood and players celebrate with the trophy on the podium after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Social Media Reacts to Illinois Basketball's Win Over Iowa in the Elite Eight

Pranav Hegde

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Mar 29, 2026

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ben Humrichous (3) reacts in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

3 Instant Observations From Illinois' NCAA Tournament Win Over Iowa

Jason Langendorf

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Mar 28, 2026

University of Kentucky assistant men's basketball coach Orlando Antigua helped Gage Durrett, 9, spin a basketball on his finger while visiting Pillar's Crestwood Station day program. June 8, 2021

Aj4t3915

The Influencer Behind Illinois' International Movement and Elite Eight Squad

Pranav Hegde

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Mar 28, 2026

Arizona forward Ivan Kharchenkov celebrates in the Wildcats’ Elite Eight win over Purdue.

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

SI Staff

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Mar 29, 2026

Feb 14, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Isaiah Johnson (2) looks on during the second half against the BYU Cougars at the Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images

Three Potential Landing Spots for Isaiah Johnson After Entering Transfer Portal

Aiden Checketts

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Mar 28, 2026

Jan 11, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cam Manyawu (3) and Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) battle for the opening tipoff during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Staff Picks: Who Wins Illinois vs Iowa in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight?

Jason Langendorf

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Mar 28, 2026

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