Illinois’ offense carried it by the primary two rounds of the NCAA Event.
The Illini’s protection helped put them one victory away from the Ultimate 4.
Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 29 factors and Illinois reached the Elite Eight for the primary time since 2005, beating Iowa State 72-69 in an East Area semifinal on Thursday night time.
Shannon had 20 factors within the first half for the third-seeded Illini (29-8), who by no means trailed. He additionally had a steal and breakaway dunk within the closing seconds and later hit two free throws to assist Illinois lastly put away the second-seeded Cyclones (29-8).
“If you face the No. 1 protection, you recognize they’re not No. 1 as a result of they’re smooth or they lack effort,” Illini coach Brad Underwood mentioned. “I additionally knew they’d come out and punch or counterpunch, and so they did that.”
The Illini shot solely 42% from the sector, however they held Iowa State to 39% taking pictures and compelled 9 turnovers.
Illinois made a regional last for the fourth time previously 40 years and can meet defending champion UConn on Saturday for a visit to the Ultimate 4. The highest-seeded Huskies defeated San Diego State 82-52 within the earlier East semifinal.
Shannon was restricted to 29 minutes due to foul hassle however remained the Illini’s workhorse. He hasn’t spoken to the media since he was charged in December with rape or another rely of sexual battery for an incident that occurred in Kansas in September.
The cost led to him being suspended for six video games earlier than a federal choose reversed the ban, ruling that Shannon’s civil rights had been violated. Shannon’s attorneys have mentioned he’s harmless of the costs.
Underwood mentioned Shannon has been a steadying presence all season.
“Individuals who know Terrence know what an incredible competitor he’s,” Underwood mentioned. “He was dialed in mentally.”
Curtis Jones scored 26 factors and Keshon Gilbert had 14 for Iowa State, which got here into March Insanity having blown out Houston for the Huge 12 Event title.
The Illini have made the previous 4 NCAA Tournaments below their seventh-year coach, however Underwood had by no means taken them previous the primary weekend till this 12 months. Coleman Hawkins added 12 factors and was the one Illinois participant in addition to Shannon in double figures.
The Illini’s lead was all the way down to 68-64 with below a minute to play earlier than a turnover by Milan Momcilovic discovered its technique to Shannon, who drove in for a two-handed dunk with 24 seconds left.
Jones was fouled on a 3-point try and dropped in all three free throws to make it 70-67, however Shannon calmly made two foul pictures with 6 seconds left.
“We weren’t in a position to reap the benefits of alternatives once they offered themselves,” Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger mentioned.
The Cyclones struggled offensively within the first half, trailing 36-26 on the break, however discovered their contact after halftime. A floater by Gilbert bought Iowa State inside 51-49 with 9:46 remaining.
Gilbert then bought a steal — one in every of Iowa State’s 11 — and sprinted in for a possible tying layup, but it surely rolled off the rim.
Iowa State later misfired with one other probability to tie it up, this time resulting in a driving layup by Illinois’ Marcus Domask. He accomplished a three-point play to make it 56-51.
When Iowa State bought it again inside three a couple of possessions later, Domask got here by once more, pulling down a 3 to push the Illini’s lead again to 62-56.
Illinois entered the night time with the highest offensive effectivity score within the event, but it surely was its protection that stood out on the outset.
The Illini’s recreation plan was to chase the Cyclones off the 3-point line and make them attempt contested pictures contained in the arc. It labored for many of the first half as Iowa State’s taking pictures proportion fell below 20% close to the halfway level. The Cyclones additionally had a greater than five-minute scoring drought.
“I feel the sport plan labored, forcing these robust 2s, making them make these robust pictures,” Hawkins mentioned.
Iowa State got here in boasting the tourney’s best protection and began the sport with a steal by Gilbert. However the Cyclones had few highlights past that within the opening 20 minutes.
Illinois took a fast 11-2 lead whereas Iowa State went scoreless for almost 4 minutes.
Up Subsequent
No. 3-seeded Illinois will tackle the defending nationwide champion UConn Huskies. The Illini and Huskies will meet in March Insanity for the primary time Saturday.
UConn throttled San Diego State within the first recreation Thursday, 82-52. The rematch of final 12 months’s nationwide championship recreation failed to supply a lot drama however the Elite Eight bout between two of the nation’s finest offensive groups guarantees to be electrical and entertaining to the followers in Boston.
The sport is scheduled for Saturday at 6:09 p.m. ET | 5:09 p.m. CT.