Iowa Looks to Upset Illinois in Elite Eight Matchup

Hawkeyes aim to reach first Final Four since 1980 by taking down Big Ten rival

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:25pm

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For the fourth straight NCAA tournament game, the Iowa Hawkeyes enter as underdogs, this time facing off against the No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini in the Elite Eight. Despite their underdog status, the Hawkeyes have already knocked off several higher-seeded opponents, including the reigning national champions and a Nebraska team having its most successful season. To pull off another upset, Iowa will need to find a way to slow down Illinois' star freshman guard Keaton Wagler, who has been dominant throughout the tournament.

Why it matters

This matchup between Big Ten rivals Iowa and Illinois carries major stakes, with a trip to the Final Four on the line. Iowa is looking to make its first Final Four appearance since 1980, while Illinois is aiming to continue its impressive tournament run and prove it's the top dog in the conference.

The details

Illinois is led by freshman guard Keaton Wagler, who is averaging 17.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game in the tournament. However, Wagler has been somewhat contained in the last two games, scoring just 14 and 13 points respectively. Stopping Wagler will be key for Iowa, but the Hawkeyes will also need to contend with Illinois' other capable scorers who have stepped up when Wagler has been limited.

  • Iowa has reached the Elite Eight as an underdog in its last four NCAA tournament games.
  • The Iowa-Illinois matchup will take place on March 30, 2026 with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

The players

Keaton Wagler

A freshman guard for Illinois who has been a dominant scorer in the tournament, averaging 17.7 points per game.

Ben McCollum

The head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes, who has guided his team to the Elite Eight as an underdog in four straight tournament games.

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What’s next

The winner of the Iowa-Illinois matchup will advance to the Final Four, which takes place on April 5, 2026.

The takeaway

Iowa's tournament run has defied expectations, and the Hawkeyes now have a chance to reach their first Final Four since 1980 by taking down Big Ten rival Illinois. Slowing down star freshman Keaton Wagler will be crucial, but Iowa has proven it can overcome higher-seeded opponents throughout this NCAA tournament.