The Fighting Illini bested the Hawkeyes during their lone regular season meeting in January, but Brad Underwood's team knows a lot has changed in Iowa City since then.
HOUSTON - Feb. 14, 1908 was a special day for the United States, but not for the reason we all are assuming.
Yes, Valentine's Day greeting cards and candies were passed from person-to-person, but the biggest headline of the day was a college basketball game between the University of Iowa and the University of Illinois.
The two schools are located roughly 242 miles apart, but 1908 marked the first time they ever met on the hardwood. Iowa won that game, 46-36, and the two squads have played every year since 1924.
The rivalry has been one of the Big Ten's most intense rivalries - especially in the late 1980s - but Saturday's matchup will undoubtedly be the biggest game in the rivalry's 118-year history.
A trip to the 2026 Final Four is on the line in Houston, which Illinois head coach Brad Underwood considers to be healthy for the sport.
"I just think these opportunities are fabulous for the game of basketball. They're both great for our programs. They're great for the Big Ten," Underwood said at a press conference Friday. "And it's not often you get two conference opponents playing in Elite Eight to go to a Final Four, but it's just fabulous for the for the league, and it's fabulous for our programs."
What has Illinois learned about Iowa since their last meeting?
Iowa and Illinois met once during the regular season - a 75-69 Illinois victory in Iowa City on Jan. 11. The Fighting Illini looked to be on the verge of a blowout win after one half, but there's a reason why a basketball game is 40 minutes, not 20.
The Hawkeyes stormed back to cut the deficit by as low as four points, but Illinois made enough plays down the stretch to hang on for the win. Star freshman Keaton Wagler's 19 points were a big reason why the Illini escaped town with a win, but he hasn't forgotten Iowa's resiliency.
"Iowa is a team that's not going to go away. When we played them we got up early on, Then we let them back in the game. We can't get lackadaisical on defense," Wagler said.
"I think we did a great job in the game defensively and running our offense," Kylan Boswell added. "I think what's helped us tremendously throughout this run so far in March."
The Hawkeyes' resilient efforts in their wins over Florida and Nebraska have been well-documented, but Underwood is impressed Iowa's final month of the season - not because of what Iowa has accomplished, but because the Hawkeyes entered the NCAA tournament losing seven of their last 10 games.
One of the reasons for Iowa's turnaround has been the success of its role players. Bennett Stirtz has had to do it all by himself at times this year, but the emergence of Cooper Koch and Tate Sage played a primary role in Thursday's win. Koch had 11 points, while Sage chipped in 19 - tying him with Joe Wieskamp and Guy Rucker for the most by an Iowa freshman in an NCAA tournament game.
That, according to Underwood, is what has elevated this Hawkeyes from limping into the Big Dance to taking it over.
"I think that's one of the things that you you expect when you get to an elite game is that everybody's going to play well," Underwood said. "And you have to prepare for that in all facets."
Looking for a FREE Hawkeyes community?
Don't miss out on our Roundtable community and the latest news! It's completely FREE to join.
Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the FREE Roundtable APP and stay even more connected!