Illinois tops Iowa State 72-69, advances to Elite Eight

Illinois’ offense carried it through the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

The Illini’s defense helped put them one victory away from the Final Four.

Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 29 points and Illinois reached the Elite Eight for the first time since 2005, beating Iowa State 72-69 in an East Region semifinal on Thursday night.

Shannon had 20 points in the first half for the third-seeded Illini (29-8), who never trailed. He also had a steal and breakaway dunk in the closing seconds and later hit two free throws to help Illinois finally put away the second-seeded Cyclones (29-8).

“When you face the No. 1 defense, you know they’re not No. 1 because they’re soft or they lack effort,” Illini coach Brad Underwood said. “I also knew they’d come out and punch or counterpunch, and they did that.”

The Illini shot only 42% from the field, but they held Iowa State to 39% shooting and forced nine turnovers.

Illinois made a regional final for the fourth time in the past 40 years and will meet defending champion UConn on Saturday for a trip to the Final Four. The top-seeded Huskies defeated San Diego State 82-52 in the earlier East semifinal.

The Illini have made the past four NCAA Tournaments under their seventh-year coach, but Underwood had never taken them past the first weekend until this year. 

Coleman Hawkins added 12 points and was the only Illinois player besides Shannon in double figures.



(AP Photo Michael Dwyer)