Illinois celebrates advancing to the Final Four.
What we know about Saturday’s Elite Eight games:
No. 9 Iowa faces No. 3 Illinois in the South regional final at 6:09 p.m. ET
No. 2 Purdue takes on No. 1 Arizona in the West regional final at 8:49 p.m. ET
Today’s winners book a spot in the Final Four in Indianapolis
Check out our recaps of every NCAA Tournament game here.
MARCH 28, 2026 / 9:32 ET
Purdue pulls ahead
Gicarri Harris gives the Boilermakers a 21-19 lead over Arizona.
Harris cashes in from the corner 💰#MarchMadness @BoilerBall pic.twitter.com/qerpAXQnBF
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 9:16 ET
Arizona and Purdue are underway
Oscar Cluff finishes with the left 😮💨#MarchMadness @BoilerBall pic.twitter.com/gXoSOX4End
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 9:08 ET
It lived up to expectations
Illinois only hit three shots from 3-point land Saturday but took control down the stretch to end Iowa’s Cinderella run through the tournament.
MARCH 28, 2026 / 8:42 ET
Cutting down the nets
“This group is special… Couldn’t be more proud.” 🥹
Brad Underwood is overcome with joy after @IlliniMBB‘s win to advance to the #MFinalFour 🗣️#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/C2JLA2wq6M
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 8:39 ET
Illini heading on the trip of a lifetime
ARE YOU WITH US?
For the first time since 2005, we’re heading to the FINAL FOUR. pic.twitter.com/1lduiaqLhW
— Illinois Men’s Basketball (@IlliniMBB) March 29, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 8:30 ET
The first of the Final Four
Keaton Wagler scores 25 points and Illinois advances to the Final Four with a 71-59 victory over a tough Iowa squad.
(3) ILLINOIS IS INDY BOUND 🤩
The Illini defeat (9) Iowa 71-59 to book the first spot in the #MFinalFour 👏 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/hFGEh9lJnL
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 8:13 ET
Breaking away
Illinois takes control of the game with an 8-0 run.
The lead extends ‼️ #MarchMadness
Watch the first #MFinalFour spot get booked NOW: https://t.co/73IDsYprmk pic.twitter.com/a0YLXXtvTw
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 8:02 ET
Back and forth
Bennett Stirtz puts Iowa ahead 49-48.
And now it’s @IowaHoops back out front 🤯 #MarchMadness
This game is CRAZY: https://t.co/73IDsYprmk pic.twitter.com/oYOhxPncGT
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 7:55 ET
Illinois keeps fighting
Keaton Wagler gives the Illini a lead.
Wagler puts @IlliniMBB back out front 😮💨#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/64kqcQ5x7d
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 7:45 ET
It’s about as tight as can be
Tavion Banks nails a 3 with time winding down to push Iowa ahead 35-33.
Buries it with time running out ⌛️#MarchMadness @IowaHoops pic.twitter.com/87moNsLttG
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 7:11 ET
Iowa leads Illinois 32-28 at halftime.
Bennett Stirtz has 15 points for the Hawkeyes.
BRB pic.twitter.com/Mes9YbelqY
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) March 28, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 6:42 ET
Keeping it close
Keaton Wagler splashes from 3 to make it a 20-18 game.
Mirkovic pulls Keaton Wagler’s defender away off the screen for the open three 👌#MarchMadness @IlliniMBB pic.twitter.com/NzCEzy49dj
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 6:34 ET
Watch the footwork
Iowa sharpshooter Bennett Stirtz is doing his best to push forward to the Final Four.
Stirtz hits a wild triple 🤯#MarchMadness @IowaHoops pic.twitter.com/GVPWTKmU2a
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 5:30 ET
Welcome to Day 1 of the Elite Eight!
Coming to you live from the Toyota Center in Houston and the SAP Center in San Jose, it’s night one of the Elite Eight, as the 2026 Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament rolls on towards the Final Four.
Here’s the complete schedule:
No. 9 Iowa vs. No. 3 Illinois, 6:09 p.m. ET (TBS / TruTV)
No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 1 Arizona, 8:49 ET (TBS / TruTV)