By IlliniGuys Staff

March 28, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Mike Cagley/IlliniGuys)

HOUSTON -- All-American Keaton Wagler scored 25 points and Andrej Stojakovic added 19 as Illinois defeated Iowa 71-59 in the NCAA South Regional final Saturday night, sending the Illini to their first Final Four since 2005.

Illinois (28-8) fell behind 12-2 behind the hot-shooting Hawkeyes, but fought back to close within 32-28 at halftime.

The Illini, in their second regional championship game in three years, scored the first five points of the second half to take their first lead of the game at 33-32.

Their defense, spectacular throughout the tournament, took over from there. Iowa shot 57 percent from the field in the first half, but managed just six made field goals after halftime.

Iowa stayed in the game on the strength of draining 11 three-pointers. but Illinois dominated inside by outscoring the Hawkeyes 40-12 in the paint.

Bennett Stirtz led the Hawkeyes (24-13) with 24 points.

Stay with IlliniGuys.com for more from the South Regional final in Houston.