Iowa vs Illinois: Time, TV channel for Elite Eight March Madness matchup

The Hawkeyes and Illini will battle for a spot in the Final Four on Saturday afternoon.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:03am

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Iowa basketball is back in the men's NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023 and will continue its March Madness journey on Saturday when it takes on Illinois. The Hawkeyes (24-12) earned a 9-seed in the tournament and the Illini (27-8) earned a 3-seed. Tip-off for the Elite Eight game is slated for 5:09 p.m. CT in Houston, Texas.

Why it matters

This matchup between Iowa and Illinois represents a high-stakes battle between two Big Ten rivals with a trip to the Final Four on the line. Both teams have had impressive tournament runs so far, and the winner will advance to the national semifinals.

The details

The Hawkeyes and Illini will face off on TBS and truTV, with streaming options including the NCAA March Madness Live app and Sling TV. In their previous meeting in January, Illinois defeated Iowa 75-69, though the game was not as close as the final score indicated.

  • The game will tip off at 5:09 p.m. CT on Saturday, March 29, 2026.
  • Iowa and Illinois last played each other on January 18, 2026, with Illinois winning 75-69.

The players

Iowa Hawkeyes

The Iowa Hawkeyes are a 9-seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, making their first appearance in the Big Dance since 2023.

Illinois Fighting Illini

The Illinois Fighting Illini are a 3-seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, looking to advance to the Final Four with a win over their Big Ten rival Iowa.

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What’s next

The winner of the Iowa vs Illinois game will advance to the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This Elite Eight matchup between two Big Ten powerhouses promises to be an intense and hard-fought battle, with the victor earning a trip to the national semifinals and a chance at the national championship.