Breaking: Illini Draw #3 Seed In NCAA East Regional; Will Face Morehead State in Omaha on Thursday

Illinois gets a 3-seed in 2024 NCAA Tournament minutes after winning the Big Ten Tournament title. Illini will play a first round matchup in Omaha against Morehead State.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 17, 2024

Minutes after winning the 2024 Big Ten Tournament championship, Illinois learned it will be a 3-seed in the East Region and sent to Omaha, Nebraska for its first round game of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

Illinois (26-8) play 14-seed Morehead State (26-8), which won the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament title last week, at the CHI Health Center in Omaha.

Illinois hasn’t been a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament since 1988 when Lou Henson’s squad defeated the University of Texas at San Antonio in the first round but were defeated in the second round against Villanova.

The top seed in Illinois’ East Region is the tournament’s overall No. 1 seed and defending national champion Connecticut and the 2-seed in the region is Big 12 Tournament champion Iowa State as the Cyclones defeated Houston 69-41 in the league tournament final in Kansas City on Saturday afternoon.

Opposite of the Illinois-Morehead State is 6-seed Brigham Young playing 11-seed Duquesne.

 

Podcasts

B1G Media Days, Illini Hoops & More - S4Ep50 - 7.25.25

Listen

IlliniGuys Top Fighting Illini SFs in our Lifetime - #490

Listen

Heat Checks & Hail Marys – Luke Altmyer Poised to Soar Up All-Time Illini QB Rankings & Kofi Part II

Listen

NBA Summer League, Illini Recruiting Update, SEC Media Days & More - S4Ep49 - 7.18.25

Listen

I on the Illini - Fighting Illini Top 5 SGs & Superman Movie Review #489

Listen

Illini in NBA Summer League, New Basketball Hire & Illini Football - S4Ep48 - 7.11.25

Listen

I on the Illini - Fighting Illini Top 5 PGs #488

Listen

Best of Interviews Episode - 7.4.25 - S4Ep47

Listen

Illinois Athletics State of the Union Discussion - #487

Listen

Whitman's Illini State of the Nation & the NBA Draft - 6.27.25 - S4Ep46

Listen

Zach Hamer Illini Asst BB Coach Talks KJ, Will & the NBA Draft - #486

Listen

Illini FB Recruiting Update, If Illini FB was a Movie & NIL & NBA Draft "What If" #485

Listen

Illini BB International Players & Cearah Parchment the newest IlliniGal - 6.20.25 - S4Ep45

Listen

Illini FB Recruiting Blitz & House Settlement Implications - 6.13.25 - S4Ep44

Listen

Illini Update Featuring 3-Star Illini WR Commit Kenyon Alston - #484

Listen

Subscriber Testimonials:

"I am a member of three different paid sites, [but] I wanted to tell you that the collective insight from the leadership of this place is second to none.  
 
It is remarkable how often I feel like I know what is going to happen before it happens. I am so appreciative of the obvious hard work that you guys are giving ....
 
You guys, in a short time, have shown me that you are the best at what you do."
Join the conversation here!

Not a member? Join our mailing list:

© 2025 LMBC Sports, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Use of any part of this site constitutes express acceptance of the Site Terms. LMBC Sports, LLC, including its Illini Guys website, is an independent media organization, and is not affiliated with the University of Illinois.