Illinois ends 21-year drought, heading back to the Final Four

It finally happened.

For the first time since 2005, the Illinois Fighting Illini are going back to the Final Four. And it didn’t come easy.

Illinois pulled away late for a 71-59 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes in a game that felt like it could swing either way for most of the second half.

Iowa actually grabbed a 51-50 lead, and for a moment, it felt like Illinois might be in trouble. Instead, that’s when everything flipped.

Illinois answered with a 10-1 run that changed the game. Suddenly it was 60-52 with four minutes left, and from there, the Illini never really looked back.

Illinois finds another gear late

This wasn’t about one perfect stretch or one highlight play. It was about responding in the biggest moment.

Keaton Wagler led the way with 25 points and looked completely in control down the stretch. Andrej Stojakovic gave Illinois a huge lift off the bench with 17 points, hitting shots when things started to get tight.

David Mirkovic did the dirty work inside with nine points and 12 rebounds, helping Illinois hold its ground when possessions started to matter more.

Iowa had its chances. Bennett Stirtz kept them in it with 24 points, and the Hawkeyes made one last push after a timeout with a three-pointer.

But every time it felt like Iowa might make it interesting again, Illinois had an answer.

That’s what Final Four teams do.

Twenty-one years in the making

The last time Illinois made it this far, Deron Williams and Dee Brown led a run all the way to the national title game. That group came up just short, losing to North Carolina.

That moment has stuck with this program for a long time.

Now, this team gets its own shot.

Under Brad Underwood, Illinois has been building toward something like this. You could see it in how they handled this tournament too.

They didn’t just survive early. They controlled games. They beat Penn by 35. They handled VCU. They took care of Houston. And when things finally got tight against Iowa, they didn’t fold.

They finished.

Now they head to Indianapolis, just a short trip from Champaign, with a chance to do something even bigger.

They’ll face either Duke or UConn next. Another test. A bigger stage.

But Illinois isn’t just happy to be there anymore.

Not with how this team is playing right now.