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Illinois, Iowa to Meet in Elite Eight at Toyota Center
Big Ten rivals to face off in South Regional final
Mar. 27, 2026 at 4:23am
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The South Regional final of the NCAA men's basketball tournament will feature an all-Big Ten matchup, as conference rivals Illinois and Iowa will square off at the Toyota Center in Houston for a spot in the Final Four.
Why it matters
This highly anticipated matchup between two of the Big Ten's top teams will determine which program advances to the national semifinals. Both Illinois and Iowa have had impressive tournament runs, making this an intriguing clash between two of college basketball's powerhouses.
The details
Illinois and Iowa both won their respective Sweet Sixteen games to set up this Elite Eight showdown. The Illini defeated Gonzaga, while the Hawkeyes took down Duke. This will be the third meeting between the two Big Ten foes this season, with each team winning one of the previous matchups.
- The Elite Eight game will take place on Saturday, March 29, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
The players
Illinois
The University of Illinois men's basketball team, representing the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is one of the top programs in the Big Ten Conference and a perennial NCAA Tournament contender.
Iowa
The University of Iowa men's basketball team, representing the University of Iowa, is another highly competitive Big Ten program that has consistently been among the conference's elite teams in recent years.
What they’re saying
“This is going to be an incredible matchup between two of the best teams in the country. Both Illinois and Iowa have proven themselves throughout the tournament, and it's going to be a battle to see who advances to the Final Four.”
— Jim Nantz, CBS Sports Commentator
What’s next
The winner of the Illinois-Iowa matchup will advance to the Final Four, which will take place the following weekend in Atlanta.
The takeaway
This Elite Eight clash between Big Ten rivals Illinois and Iowa promises to be a thrilling and highly competitive game, as both teams have demonstrated their ability to win tough games throughout the NCAA Tournament.
