All that stands in the way of Illinois’ first Final Four appearance since 2005 is…Iowa.
Brad Underwood, Keaton Wagler, Kylan Boswell, and Andrej Stojakovic met with media ahead of the team’s biggest game of the year.
A rematch with much higher stakes
Illinois and Iowa met once already this season. The Illini took care of business on the road in Iowa City, defeating the Hawkeyes 75-69 on January 11.
“I think we did a great job throughout the course of the game defensively,” Kylan Boswell said. “What’s helped us tremendously throughout this run so far in March is sticking to our process. Taking the type of shots we want and then guarding the way we’ve been doing…I think if we just continue to stay on that path we’ll be good.”
“Iowa’s a team that’s not gonna go away,” said Keaton Wagler. “When we played them, we got up early on them. Then we let them back in the game. We can’t get lackadaisical on defense…just stick to our process throughout the whole game.”
Illinois’ backcourt of Wagler, Boswell, and Stojakovic carried the load in the January win, combining for 53 of Illinois’ 75 points.
Defense is the key
Illinois played their best defensive game of the year against Houston in the Sweet Sixteen. Houston boasted one of the top offenses in the nation, yet they mustered just 55 points against the Illini.
“I didn’t feel like there was one possession that we were off,” said Illinois head coach Brad Underwood. “I thought we had the mental turned up. There weren’t a lot of scouting report mistakes. That’s been one of the biggest keys. We’ve been very good throughout the season at times. We just haven’t been that consistent. That has to continue if we want to keep moving on.”
The Iowa offense isn’t as powerful as Houston’s but it’s still more than capable. Iowa’s offense rates as the 20th best per KenPom, while Houston’s rated in the top 10 before Thursday. Regardless, Illinois will have to be fully locked in yet again on the defensive end if they want to advance to the Final Four.
Iowa’s snail-like pace (361st in the nation in tempo) presents challenges for opponents every single night.
History on the line
When you make it this far in March, you probably don’t expect to be facing off against a bitter rival.
“You’ve got two historic programs that have all found success at different levels,” Underwood said. “This just gets to be another one of those games. I just think these opportunities are fabulous for the game of basketball. They’re great for our programs. They’re great for the Big Ten. It’s not often you get two conference opponents playing in the Elite Eight to go to a Final Four.
Illinois and Iowa first met on the hardwood in 1908. 172 games have been played in the rivalry series since. Saturday night’s matchup may be the most important of them all.
Illinois searches for its first Final Four appearance since 2005, while Iowa tries to get back for the first time since 1980.
Both teams hope to achieve ultimate bragging rights over a bitter conference rival.
Do you think Illinois will make their first Final Four in two decades?