March Madness Update: Elite Eight

by Elias Meredith 3/30/26 Sportz Nation

SATURDAY:

3ILLINOIS VS 9IOWA

Photo by Ashley Landis/AP Photo

Saturday night, the Iowa Hawkeyes traveled to Houston, Texas to keep their underdog story alive against the Illinois Fighting Illini. They just came off one of the biggest wins in Iowa basketball history, defeating the defending champion Florida Gators in the Sweet 16. Iowa looked to transfer that momentum to their Elite Eight matchup, but Illinois had other plans.

Illinois star freshman Keaton Wagler led the way, scoring 25 points in a 71-59 victory, and ending the Fighting Illini’s 21-year absence from the Final Four.

Iowa exploded out the gates, starting the game on a 12-2 run. Illinois would respond by going on a 9-0 run to make it a one possession game.

The game would remain close after the opening scoring runs from each team. Each team relied on their top scorer to lead them. Iowa senior guard Bennett Stirtz had 15 first half points for Iowa. Wagler had 11 points to lead Illinois in the first half.

The second half was more of the back-and-forth action between the two clubs, until Illinois started to build momentum.

Illinois would go on an 8-0 run to take a 58-51 lead with 4:52 left in regulation, their biggest lead of the second half to that point.

Iowa would cut their deficit to 4 with 2 minutes left, but Illinois would pull away by making their last 6 free throw attempts.

Key to Victory: Illinois' defense

Illinois held Iowa to 38.3% from the field (18/47) and 36.7% from three (11/30). Stirtz was the Iowa starter that finished with double figures.

Next for the Fighting Illini: NCAA Tournament | Final Four | Saturday, April 4 vs UCONN Huskies at 6:09 PM EST

SUNDAY:

1DUKE VS 2UCONN

Photo by Abbie Parr/AP Photo

Sunday evening, the Duke Devils and the UCONN Huskies faced off at the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. Senior center Tarris Reed Jr. led the way with 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks, setting up the Huskies for Braylon Mullins’ game-winning shot. The 73-72 victory over the Duke Blue Devils punched the Huskies ticket to their third Final Four appearance in four years.

Duke dominated the first half, as they got their first double digit lead within the first ten minutes of the game. Duke drilled 4 of their 6 total threes in the first 10 minutes.

A 13-0 Duke scoring run gave them their largest lead of the game at 19. Duke would close the first half up 44-29. The Boozer twins led the way for Duke, combining for 27 first half points, while UConn’s Tarris Reed Jr. finished the first half with 12 points.

In the second half, UConn slowly, but surely chipped away at their deficit. An 11-3 run by the Huskies cut their deficit to one with 51 seconds left in regulation.

Duke would put the ball in the hands of their All-American freshman Cameron Boozer in crunch time. He delivered by drilling a midrange jumper to extend the Blue Devil lead, making it a 72-69 game with 29 seconds remaining.

The next possession UConn junior guard Silas Demary Jr. was fouled with 10 seconds left in regulation. The Raleigh, North Carolina native would make 1-of-2 to make it a 72-70 game.

UConn looked to cause a turnover in the backcourt, and that is exactly what they did. Attempting to cross half court, Cayden Boozer’s pass was deflected and picked up by Braylon Mullins. Mullins passed it off and relocated for a 35-foot game-winning deep ball to give the Huskies an improbable victory in the District of Columbia.

Key to Victory: UConn’s resilience

Down as much as 19 in the contest, UConn showed their championship pedigree. The mountain they had to climb was steep, but they showed their experience against a young Duke team. UConn’s comeback victory gives them a ton of confidence going into their Final Four matchup against the Fighting Illini Saturday night.

Next for the Huskies: NCAA Tournament | Final Four | Saturday, April 4 vs Illinois Fighting Illini at 6:09 PM EST

Thank you for reading!

Elias Meredith (@EAM_55)