The Daily Illini Sports

For Ben Humrichous and Jake Davis, a Final Four in Indianapolis with #Illinois means more playing in their home state. “Get to go home, play in our home state, show the world that two kids from Indiana can do it,” Davis said. More with @DI_Sports: dailyillini.com/sports-stories…

Former #Illini Coleman Hawkins was in Houston to support, and his next stop is the Final Four in Indy. “It’s big time – I think it just goes to show our culture that Brad (Underwood) has built,” said Ty Rodgers. More on Hawkins’ love for #Illinois ⤵️dailyillini.com/sports-stories…

#Illinois is going to its first Final Four in 21 years. Check out this story I wrote last semester about the 2005 #Illini . Quotes from Dee Brown, Deron Williams and Bruce Weber ⤵️ dailyillini.com/special-sectio…

After a crushing loss on Friday, #Illinois took control of the series with a dominant 16-5 win. Sunday’s win was just as dominant, this time from the pitching staff as they combined for the 2nd shutout of the season. Recap on @DI_Sports dailyillini.com/sports-stories…

#Illinois vs UConn in the Final Four gets a 5:09 Central tip time on Saturday.

Asked Andrej Stojaković about his reaction to students climbing and surrrounding Alma Mater after #Illini advanced to the Final Four: “I love that. Some people don’t like it, they think it’s not classy. But when people destruct things after wins, I’m a fan of.” Full reaction ⤵️

It was a hard-fought game between two Big Ten teams, but No. 3 #Illinois pulled away from No. 9 Iowa late to win their Eight Eight matchup and reach the Final Four. “No better feeling,” said Andrej Stojaković. Recap from Houston for @DI_Sports ⤵️ dailyillini.com/sports-stories…

Delivering the news... the #Illini are headed to their first Final Four since 2005!

Breaking news.

Another and-one for Stojaković gives #Illinois a 7-point lead with 3:16 to go.

Tomislav picks up his 5th foul with 2 minutes left in the game. Huge loss for the #Illini in the final minutes of this game with his size.

#Illinois 67, Iowa 59 with 1:12 remaining in the second half. With his last two free throws, Wagler is up to 23 points, with 12 of those coming the second half. Knocking down free throws is going to be crucial for the Illini in the final minute of this game.

Boswell hits both free throws to give #Illinois a 10 point lead with less than a minute left.

The #Illini are heading to the FINAL FOUR!! Illinois defeats Iowa 71-59 for its first Final Four trip since 2005. FINAL: #Illinois 71, Iowa 59 Wagler: 25 points, 8-17 FG, Stojaković: 17 points, 7-9 FG, 5 rebounds Mirković: 9 points, 12 rebounds

A Zvonimir Ivišić dunk off the lob from Mirković gives #Illinois a 8-point lead with 4:06 left in the second half. It's double-double watch time for Mirković as he's now at 9 points to go along with his 12 rebounds.

#Illinois 56, Iowa 51 with 5:41 left in the second half. Tomislav has taken over during the last few minutes in the paint. He's now up to 13 points on 6-11 FG along with 2 offensive rebounds. Iowa also hasn't scored in the 3:44.

All out effort from Mirković on the glass right now as he tries to keep giving the #Illini extra possessions. Mirković is up to 12 rebounds, 5 of those offensive.

Stojaković with a tough finish at the rim for his first points of the half. He's up to 12 points and the #Illini are up 1.

#Illinois 46, Iowa 46 with 11:23 left in the second half. Wagler still leads the Illini with 17 points, but Mirković and Tomislav have dominated the paint here in this second half. Mirković is also up to 9 rebounds to go along with his 7 points.

An impressive step back from Wagler to shake his defender and knock down the three. #Illini