Illinois Advances to Elite Eight, Beats Houston 65-55

Illini to Face Iowa in Regional Final After Gritty Defensive Battle

Mar. 27, 2026 at 4:33am

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The No. 3 seed Illinois Illini defeated the No. 2 seed Houston Cougars 65-55 in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night. The Illini used a 17-0 run in the second half to pull away and advance to the Elite Eight, where they will face Big Ten foe Iowa.

Why it matters

Illinois' victory marks the program's sixth Elite Eight appearance since 1975 and second in the last three years. The Illini's defensive effort against the nation's fourth-ranked offense according to KenPom was crucial in the win, showcasing their ability to win a low-scoring, gritty battle.

The details

Illinois turned a two-point halftime lead into a 44-26 advantage with the 17-0 run early in the second half. David Mirković and Ben Humrichous hit back-to-back 3-pointers to punctuate the run. Houston went nearly seven minutes without a basket before finally scoring, but the Illini held on for the victory despite a late Cougars comeback attempt.

  • Illinois led just 24-22 at halftime against the nation's fourth-rated defense.
  • The Illini used a 17-0 run early in the second half to build a 44-26 lead.

The players

David Mirković

Led Illinois with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Keaton Wagler

Contributed 13 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists for the Illini.

Emanuel Sharp

Scored 17 points for Houston in the loss.

Chase McCarty

Hit two late 3-pointers to help Houston make a comeback attempt.

Milos Uzan

Broke Houston's nearly seven-minute scoring drought with a 3-pointer.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

Illinois will face No. 9 seed Iowa in the Elite Eight on Saturday at 5:09 p.m. in Houston. The Illini defeated the Hawkeyes 75-69 in their only regular season meeting on Jan. 11.

The takeaway

Illinois' gritty defensive effort and ability to pull away with a decisive run showcased the Illini's versatility and resilience, setting up an intriguing regional final matchup against Big Ten foe Iowa as the program continues its quest for a deep NCAA Tournament run.