The Hawkeyes are seeking their first Final Four appearance since 1980.
HOUSTON - After a thrilling comeback win over Nebraska, Iowa basketball's improbable NCAA tournament run moves to the Elite Eight.
That's a spot the Hawkeyes haven't been to since 1987, but the 2025-26 season has been about ending droughts, as this is Iowa's first trip to the second weekend in 27 years.
Iowa's Elite Eight opponent is none other than longtime Big Ten rival Illinois. The third-seeded Fighting Illini bested No. 2 Houston in the Sweet 16 nightcap on Thursday, and look to complete the season sweep of the Hawkeyes.
Here's everything you need to know about Saturday's matchup, including start time, TV channel, ticket prices, and more:
Matchup: No. 9 Iowa Hawkeyes (24-12) vs. No. 3 Illinois Fighting Illini (27-8)
Scheduled game time: March 28 at 5:09 CDT
Location: Toyota Center in Houston, Texas
TV: TBS
Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Robbie Hummel (analyst), Stan Van Gundy (analyst)
Local Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network (Gary Dolphin, Bobby Hansen)
National Radio (Westwood One): Spero Dedes (play-play-play), Fran Fraschilla (analyst)
Betting information: Line: Illinois -6.5 | O/U: 138.5
Tickets: With Nebraska and Houston fans now eliminated from the tournament, ticket prices that were once over $600 have now dropped to just $50 to get in the door. It wouldn't be surprising to see a drove of Hawkeye and Illini fans make the trip down to Texas, and you can secure your spot in the Toyota Center by purchasing a ticket here.
Game Notes
Iowa defeated fourth-seeded Nebraska to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987 and for the fifth time in program history (1955, 1956, 1980, 1987, 2026).
The Hawkeyes have downed all higher seeds -- No. 8 Clemson, No. 1 Florida, No. 4 Nebraska -- en route to the Regional Final. Iowa is the lowest seed in the Big Ten all-time to reach the Elite Eight.
Iowa became the ninth No. 9 seed all-time to knock off a No. 1 seed and the first since 2018. The Hawkeyes are the sixth No. 9 seed all-time to advance to the Elite Eight.
Head coach Ben McCollum is the only first-year head coach this season to guide his team to the Elite Eight. The last to do so was Rodney Terry (Texas) and Jerome Tang (Kansas State) in 2023.
Freshman Tate Sage had career-highs in points (19) and rebounds (8) in Iowa’s Sweet 16 win over Nebraska. The 19 points are tied for the most by a Hawkeye freshman in an NCAA Tournament game (Joe Wieskamp, 2019; Guy Rucker, 1997).
Iowa made a program NCAA Tournament record 13 3-point field goals (in a record 30 attempts) in the win over Nebraska on March 26.
The Hawkeyes have won three NCAA Tournament games in the last seven days; Iowa won three games in the previous 20 years.
Ben McCollum joins Dr. Tom Davis as the only two Iowa head coaches to guide the program to a Elite Eight in their first season. A lifelong Hawkeye, McCollum was six years old the last time the Hawkeyes have gone to the Elite Eight.
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