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VOTE: Illinois or IOWA? Which team advances to the Final Four? Illinois opens as 6.5 point favorite

Which team advances to the Final Four?

  • Total voters
    83
  • Poll closed .
Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,002
20,308
113
In their Sweet 16 game vs Houston, the Illini defense was very good.

They held Houston to 34% overall shooting and 28% from three.

Houston made it to the foul line just 2 times (2-2).

www.espn.com

Illinois 65-55 Houston (Mar 26, 2026) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Houston Cougars NCAAM game from March 26, 2026 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
Last edited:
Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,002
20,308
113
2D said:
Ride or die with the Hawks.
Click to expand...

What did Ben learn from the 2nd half of our game vs Illinois?

It was definitely a tale of 2 halves.

...............................................................IOWA..........Illinois
First Half...............................24..........................35.............................kkk
Second Half..................45..........................40
Total.........................................69.......................75


www.espn.com

Illinois 75-69 Iowa (Jan 11, 2026) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa Hawkeyes NCAAM game, final score 75-69, from January 11, 2026 on ESPN.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
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Zach Jump

Zach Jump

All-Conference
Jun 24, 2022
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Franisdaman said:
What did Ben learn from the 2nd half of our game vs Illinois?

It was definitely a tale of 2 halves.

...............................................................IOWA..........Illinois
First Half...............................24..........................35.............................kkk
Second Half..................45..........................40
Total.........................................69.......................75


www.espn.com

Illinois 75-69 Iowa (Jan 11, 2026) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa Hawkeyes NCAAM game, final score 75-69, from January 11, 2026 on ESPN.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
Click to expand...

Would have to suffer through watching that again to have a real response...with ten ....eleven minutes left Illinois was up 17.

Did Illinois go second third string...we come back within 4...?
 
DukeSlater

DukeSlater

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2023
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Franisdaman said:
Here's hoping for an ALL B1G Final Four.

WEST:.........................Purdue
MIDWEST:.......Michigan

SOUTH:..................IOWA
EAST:...........................Michigan State
Click to expand...
It's entirely possible. Why not have a re-do of the BIG Tournament at the NCAA's expense? LOL

After winning two straight national titles in football, if the BIG could actually fill the entire Final Four, would the SEC implode? :unsure:
 
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HawkInDenver

HawkInDenver

Senior
Apr 16, 2024
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Franisdaman said:
interesting opening line of +6.5
Click to expand...
I'm a bit surprised by that but it really doesn't matter at this point. Illinois is very good but if I was a betting person I'd take Iowa and the points.

IMHO we are a different / better team than we were when we last played Illinois. Koch, Sage, and Folgieras are all playing great in the tourney. Much more balanced offense and we are firing on all cylinders at the right time!

It's a neutral court but people love an underdog so I expect many folks cheering for the Hawks.

Lastly, we aren't supposed to be here so we have nothing to lose.

I expect another tough close game which hopefully goes our way!
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,002
20,308
113
Zach Jump said:
Would have to suffer through watching that again to have a real response...with ten ....eleven minutes left Illinois was up 17.

Did Illinois go second third string...we come back within 4...?
Click to expand...

yeah, I don't remember what adjustments Ben made for the 2nd half other than probably chewing a$$ at half time :)

Did you see that Ben was really pissed & broke a broke a marker & ink went everywhere at half time last night? Ben was telling them that they were playing soft, etc.

what a coach!
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,002
20,308
113
rchawk said:
It is a big challenge for sure, but we felt the same way going into the Florida game.

Iowa is on a roll though and you've gotta respect a streak.
Click to expand...

It's crazy because on paper Illinois is the better team.

But I think we have the better coach.

Will that be enough?
 
rchawk

rchawk

All-American
Oct 27, 2001
73,752
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Franisdaman said:
It's crazy because on paper Illinois is the better team.

But I think we have the better coach.

Will that be enough?
Click to expand...
Geez, I don't know. I said Iowa is on a roll and believe it is true, but that goes back to the Hawks' last game in the Big Ten tournament. Illinois is also on a roll or they wouldn't be playing tomorrow.

Iowa absolutely could win, but the Illini impress the hell out of me.
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,002
20,308
113
DukeSlater said:
It's entirely possible. Why not have a re-do of the BIG Tournament at the NCAA's expense? LOL

After winning two straight national titles in football, if the BIG could actually fill the entire Final Four, would the SEC implode? :unsure:
Click to expand...

Michigan State needs to beat UConn tonight and then (likely) Duke on Sunday. No problem. :)

Regarding the SEC's 2 teams remaining:

Michigan should beat Alabama tonight

Iowa State should beat Tennessee tonight
 
W

WeBeHerkin

All-Conference
Aug 5, 2016
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DukeSlater said:
"Experts" strike again.
Click to expand...
What Chat GPT says

There have been 5 No. 9 seeds to make the men’s NCAA tournament Elite Eight in tournament history:


  • 1979 Penn — reached the Final Four as a 9 seed.
  • 2013 Wichita State — reached the Final Four as a 9 seed.
  • 2018 Kansas State — made the Elite Eight.
  • 2025 Utah State — made the Elite Eight.
  • 2026 Iowa — made the Elite Eight and plays Illinois on March 28, 2026.
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,002
20,308
113
rchawk said:
Geez, I don't know. I said Iowa is on a roll and believe it is true, but that goes back to the Hawks' last game in the Big Ten tournament. Illinois is also on a roll or they wouldn't be playing tomorrow.

Iowa absolutely could win, but the Illini impress the hell out of me.
Click to expand...

They have too many "ovich" players!
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,002
20,308
113
WeBeHerkin said:
What Chat GPT says

There have been 5 No. 9 seeds to make the men’s NCAA tournament Elite Eight in tournament history:


  • 1979 Penn — reached the Final Four as a 9 seed.
  • 2013 Wichita State — reached the Final Four as a 9 seed.
  • 2018 Kansas State — made the Elite Eight.
  • 2025 Utah State — made the Elite Eight.
  • 2026 Iowa — made the Elite Eight and plays Illinois on March 28, 2026.
Click to expand...

how many have made the Final Four? ;)
 
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