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Houston vs Texas A&M – 032126<\/p>\n
Illinois vs Houston live score, updates, highlights from March Madness Sweet 16 game<\/a> originally appeared on The Sporting News<\/a>. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The third-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini take on the second-seeded Houston Cougars<\/a> in a 2026 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 matchup.\u00a0Illinois is coming off a 76-55-88 last-second victory over VCU.\u00a0Houston defeated Texas A&M 88-57 to advance to the Sweet 16.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The Illini (26-8), who finished in second place in a three-way tie in the Big 10 Conference, have won four of the last five games.\u00a0The Cougars (30-6), who came in second in the Big 12, have also won four of five games.<\/p>\n The winner of this game will go onto face the winner of No. 9 Iowa vs No. 4 Nebraska with a chance to win the region and play in the Final Four.<\/p>\n Illinois vs Houston live updates, highlights from 2026 March Madness gameEnd of the 1st half<\/p>\n Houston’s Kingston Flemings snapped his scoring drought at the perfect time hitting a much needed three as time expired. Illinois leads Houston 24-22 at the half.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n 1st Half – 1:34<\/p>\n With a few minutes left in the half, Illinois is on pace to have an uncharacteristic number of turnovers. Stoyakovic’ hot hand has cooled slightly, but Kingston Flemings and Emanuel Sharp are shooting below the line. Sharp is the leading scorer and hit a critical three late in the half. Illinois leads Houston 24-19<\/p>\n 1st Half – 4:39<\/p>\n As the end of the first half approaches, neither team is shooting the ball particularly well. Illinois-38%, Houston-24%. Andrej Stoyakovic is almost singlehandedly keeping Illinois ahead with his nine points in eight minutes off the bench. Houston finds themselves in a bit of foul trouble. Even if Jojo Tugler got away with a few no calls. Advertisement<\/p>\n 1st Half – 9:16<\/p>\n Houston fought back rather quickly jumping ahead 8-7 relying on Houston’s defensive effort. Since then, both teams have traded baskets with Illinois holding a 14-12 lead. w<\/p>\n 1st Half – 16:13<\/p>\n Illinois began the game disciplined looking for the high percentage shot. However, the Houston defense has kept them close in the early minutes. After several possessions, the score remains 3-0 Illinois.<\/p>\n Shootaround \u2705#MarchMadness<\/a>#ForTheCity<\/a> x #GoCoogs<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/7VrSzE97ok<\/a><\/p>\n Tonight’s Sweet 16 game from Houston will be live at 10:10 p.m. ET on TBS.<\/p>\n What channel is Iowa vs. Nebraska on today?<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n More college basketball news:
Illinois leads Houston 21-14<\/p>\n