HOUSTON, Texas (KWQC) – Illinois and Iowa will be playing in the Sweet Sixteen Thursday night in the South Regional in Houston. Iowa will play Nebraska at 6:30 p.m. followed by Illinois vs Houston. A win would send Illinois to the Elite Eight for the 2nd time in the past three seasons.
“We’re excited to be here” said Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler.
“We’re gonna go out there and play hard, have a lot of fun and not too many teams have a chance to go to the Elite Eight so we’re gonna go out there and play as hard as we can.” he said.
With a win, Illinois would be one win away from the program’s first Final Four appearance since 2005.
“It’s such a joy that we get to be in this moment” said Illinois senior Ben Humrichous.
Iowa will play Nebraska at 6:30 p.m. The Hawkeyes and Huskers played twice in the regular season with the home team winning each time
“They know what we’re gonna do and we know what they’re gonna do so obviously we’re gonna both make adjustments” said Iowa senior Bennett Stirtz.
It’s tough to play a team three times and it’s tough to beat a team two times.
This is Iowa’s first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 1999.
The Hawkeyes are in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999.
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