Illinois Ends Iowa's Cinderella NCAA Tournament Run, Reaches First Final Four Since 2005

Illini pull away late to defeat Hawkeyes 71-59 in Elite Eight matchup

Mar. 29, 2026 at 12:29am

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No. 3 seed Illinois defeated No. 9 seed Iowa 71-59 in the Elite Eight to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2005. The Illini overcame an early 12-2 deficit and a lengthy first-half delay due to a malfunctioning buzzer to rally past the Cinderella Hawkeyes, who were playing in their first Elite Eight since 1987.

Why it matters

Illinois' victory ends Iowa's surprising NCAA tournament run as the lowest-seeded Big Ten team to ever reach the Elite Eight. The Illini will now make their first Final Four appearance in 17 years, giving them a chance to win their first national championship since 2005.

The details

After Iowa jumped out to a 12-2 lead, the game was delayed for 11 minutes in the first half due to a malfunctioning buzzer inside the Toyota Center. When play resumed, the Hawkeyes maintained a four-point halftime advantage behind 15 points from Bennett Stirtz. But Illinois took control in the second half, using a 10-1 run capped by an alley-oop to pull away. The Illini outrebounded Iowa 35-20 and held the Hawkeyes to just 1-of-13 shooting over the final five minutes.

  • The game was delayed for 11 minutes in the first half due to a malfunctioning buzzer.
  • Illinois took its first lead of the game just minutes into the second half.

The players

Bennett Stirtz

Iowa's star player, who scored a game-high 24 points in the loss.

Keaton Wagler

Illinois' leading scorer with 25 points in the win.

Andrej Stojakovic

Illinois' sixth man, who added 17 points off the bench.

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What they’re saying

“We must have been a little too amped up at the start, but I'm proud of how our guys settled in and took control of the game in the second half.”

— Brad Underwood, Illinois Head Coach

What’s next

Illinois will face the winner of Duke and UConn in the Final Four next weekend in Indianapolis.

The takeaway

Illinois' victory over Iowa ends the Cinderella run of the lowest-seeded Big Ten team to ever reach the Elite Eight. The Illini will now make their first Final Four appearance in 17 years, giving them a chance to win their first national championship since 2005.