Iowa looks to advance to the first Final Four in program history during Saturday’s Elite Eight matchup (AP Photo).
What we know about Saturday’s Elite Eight games:
- No. 9 Iowa faces No. 3 Illinois in the South regional final at 6:09 p.m. ET
- No. 2 Purdue takes on No. 1 Arizona in the West regional final at 8:49 p.m. ET
- Today’s winners book a spot in the Final Four in Indianapolis
- Check out our recaps of every NCAA Tournament game here.
MARCH 28, 2026 / 8:13 ET
Breaking away
Illinois takes control of the game with an 8-0 run.
The lead extends ‼️ #MarchMadness
Watch the first #MFinalFour spot get booked NOW: https://t.co/73IDsYprmk pic.twitter.com/a0YLXXtvTw
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 8:02 ET
Back and forth
Bennett Stirtz puts Iowa ahead 49-48.
And now it's @IowaHoops back out front 🤯 #MarchMadness
This game is CRAZY: https://t.co/73IDsYprmk pic.twitter.com/oYOhxPncGT
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 7:55 ET
Illinois keeps fighting
Keaton Wagler gives the Illini a lead.
Wagler puts @IlliniMBB back out front 😮💨#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/64kqcQ5x7d
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 7:45 ET
It’s about as tight as can be
Tavion Banks nails a 3 with time winding down to push Iowa ahead 35-33.
Buries it with time running out ⌛️#MarchMadness @IowaHoops pic.twitter.com/87moNsLttG
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 7:11 ET
Iowa leads Illinois 32-28 at halftime.
Bennett Stirtz has 15 points for the Hawkeyes.
BRB pic.twitter.com/Mes9YbelqY
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) March 28, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 6:42 ET
Keeping it close
Keaton Wagler splashes from 3 to make it a 20-18 game.
Mirkovic pulls Keaton Wagler's defender away off the screen for the open three 👌#MarchMadness @IlliniMBB pic.twitter.com/NzCEzy49dj
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 6:34 ET
Watch the footwork
Iowa sharpshooter Bennett Stirtz is doing his best to push forward to the Final Four.
Stirtz hits a wild triple 🤯#MarchMadness @IowaHoops pic.twitter.com/GVPWTKmU2a
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
MARCH 28, 2026 / 5:30 ET
Welcome to Day 1 of the Elite Eight!
Coming to you live from the Toyota Center in Houston and the SAP Center in San Jose, it’s night one of the Elite Eight, as the 2026 Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament rolls on towards the Final Four.
Here’s the complete schedule:
- No. 9 Iowa vs. No. 3 Illinois, 6:09 p.m. ET (TBS / TruTV)
- No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 1 Arizona, 8:49 ET (TBS / TruTV)
