![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/illinois_celebrate.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Illinois celebrates advancing to the Final Four.<\/p>\n
What we know about Saturday\u2019s Elite Eight games:<\/p>\n
No. 9 Iowa faces No. 3 Illinois in the South regional final at 6:09 p.m. ET MARCH 28, 2026 \/ 9:32 ET<\/p>\n Purdue pulls ahead<\/p>\n Gicarri Harris gives the Boilermakers a 21-19 lead over Arizona.<\/p>\n Harris cashes in from the corner \ud83d\udcb0#MarchMadness<\/a> @BoilerBall<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/qerpAXQnBF<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n MARCH 28, 2026 \/ 9:16 ET<\/p>\n Arizona and Purdue are underway<\/p>\n Oscar Cluff finishes with the left \ud83d\ude2e\u200d\ud83d\udca8#MarchMadness<\/a> @BoilerBall<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/gXoSOX4End<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n MARCH 28, 2026 \/ 9:08 ET<\/p>\n It lived up to expectations<\/p>\n Illinois only hit three shots from 3-point land Saturday but took control down the stretch<\/a> to end Iowa\u2019s Cinderella run through the tournament.<\/p>\n MARCH 28, 2026 \/ 8:42 ET<\/p>\n Cutting down the nets<\/p>\n “This group is special\u2026 Couldn’t be more proud.” \ud83e\udd79<\/p>\n Brad Underwood is overcome with joy after @IlliniMBB<\/a>‘s win to advance to the #MFinalFour<\/a> \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f#MarchMadness<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/C2JLA2wq6M<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n MARCH 28, 2026 \/ 8:39 ET<\/p>\n Illini heading on the trip of a lifetime<\/p>\n ARE YOU WITH US?<\/p>\n For the first time since 2005, we’re heading to the FINAL FOUR. pic.twitter.com\/1lduiaqLhW<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Illinois Men’s Basketball (@IlliniMBB) March 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n MARCH 28, 2026 \/ 8:30 ET<\/p>\n The first of the Final Four<\/p>\n Keaton Wagler scores 25 points and Illinois advances to the Final Four with a 71-59 victory over a tough Iowa squad.<\/p>\n (3) ILLINOIS IS INDY BOUND \ud83e\udd29<\/p>\n The Illini defeat (9) Iowa 71-59 to book the first spot in the #MFinalFour<\/a> \ud83d\udc4f #MarchMadness<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/hFGEh9lJnL<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n MARCH 28, 2026 \/ 8:13 ET<\/p>\n Breaking away<\/p>\n Illinois takes control of the game with an 8-0 run.<\/p>\n The lead extends \u203c\ufe0f #MarchMadness<\/a> <\/p>\n Watch the first #MFinalFour<\/a> spot get booked NOW: https:\/\/t.co\/73IDsYprmk<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/a0YLXXtvTw<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n MARCH 28, 2026 \/ 8:02 ET<\/p>\n Back and forth<\/p>\n Bennett Stirtz puts Iowa ahead 49-48.<\/p>\n And now it’s @IowaHoops<\/a> back out front \ud83e\udd2f #MarchMadness<\/a><\/p>\n This game is CRAZY: https:\/\/t.co\/73IDsYprmk<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/oYOhxPncGT<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n MARCH 28, 2026 \/ 7:55 ET<\/p>\n Illinois keeps fighting<\/p>\n Keaton Wagler gives the Illini a lead.<\/p>\n Wagler puts @IlliniMBB<\/a> back out front \ud83d\ude2e\u200d\ud83d\udca8#MarchMadness<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/64kqcQ5x7d<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n MARCH 28, 2026 \/ 7:45 ET<\/p>\n It\u2019s about as tight as can be<\/p>\n Tavion Banks nails a 3 with time winding down to push Iowa ahead 35-33.<\/p>\n Buries it with time running out \u231b\ufe0f#MarchMadness<\/a> @IowaHoops<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/87moNsLttG<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n MARCH 28, 2026 \/ 7:11 ET<\/p>\n Iowa leads Illinois 32-28 at halftime.<\/p>\n Bennett Stirtz has 15 points for the Hawkeyes.<\/p>\n BRB pic.twitter.com\/Mes9YbelqY<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Iowa Men\u2019s Basketball (@IowaHoops) March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n MARCH 28, 2026 \/ 6:42 ET<\/p>\n Keeping it close<\/p>\n Keaton Wagler splashes from 3 to make it a 20-18 game.<\/p>\n Mirkovic pulls Keaton Wagler’s defender away off the screen for the open three \ud83d\udc4c#MarchMadness<\/a> @IlliniMBB<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/NzCEzy49dj<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n MARCH 28, 2026 \/ 6:34 ET<\/p>\n Watch the footwork<\/p>\n Iowa sharpshooter Bennett Stirtz is doing his best to push forward to the Final Four.<\/p>\n Stirtz hits a wild triple \ud83e\udd2f#MarchMadness<\/a> @IowaHoops<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/GVPWTKmU2a<\/a><\/p>\n
\nNo. 2 Purdue takes on No. 1 Arizona in the West regional final at 8:49 p.m. ET
\nToday\u2019s winners book a spot in the Final Four in Indianapolis
\nCheck out our recaps of every NCAA Tournament game here<\/a>.<\/p>\n