Iowa and Illinois Face Off in Elite Eight Showdown

Cinderella Hawkeyes take on Illini in high-stakes March Madness matchup

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:34am

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The No. 9 Iowa Hawkeyes, the surprise Cinderella story of this year's NCAA men's basketball tournament, will face off against the No. 3 Illinois Illini in the Elite Eight round on Saturday, March 28 at 6:09 p.m. ET. The game will air on TBS and truTV, with streaming options available through DirecTV, HBO Max, and other providers.

Why it matters

Iowa's improbable run to the Elite Eight has captivated fans, as the Hawkeyes have defeated higher-seeded opponents Florida and Nebraska to reach this stage. A win over Illinois would cement Iowa's status as a true March Madness contender and potentially set up a deep tournament run. Meanwhile, Illinois is looking to solidify its status as a national powerhouse and advance to the Final Four.

The details

The Iowa vs. Illinois matchup features two teams with contrasting styles. Iowa relies on a balanced scoring attack and stifling defense, while Illinois boasts one of the most talented rosters in the country led by star guard Terrence Davis. The winner of this game will advance to the Final Four, held in Indianapolis.

  • The Iowa vs. Illinois game will tip off at 6:09 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 28.
  • The game will be played at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

The players

Iowa Hawkeyes

The No. 9 seed Iowa Hawkeyes have been the surprise team of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, upsetting higher-seeded opponents to reach the Elite Eight.

Illinois Illini

The No. 3 seed Illinois Illini are one of the top teams in the country, led by star guard Terrence Davis and looking to advance to the Final Four.

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What they’re saying

“We're not done yet. These guys have worked so hard to get to this point, and they deserve all the credit in the world.”

— Fran McCaffery, Iowa Head Coach

“Illinois has the talent to win it all, but Iowa has shown they can't be counted out. This is going to be a great game.”

— Dick Vitale, College Basketball Analyst

What’s next

The winner of the Iowa vs. Illinois game will advance to the Final Four, which takes place on April 4 in Indianapolis.

The takeaway

The Iowa Hawkeyes' Cinderella run has captivated fans, but they face a tough test against the talented Illinois Illini squad. This Elite Eight matchup promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle, with the winner earning a spot in the Final Four.