Brad Sturdy, Illini Uber-Insider & Co-Host of IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio
March 23, 2024
The Illini have the opportunity to take the next step and move into the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2005 and will need to beat a tough and battle tested Duquesne team to get it done on Saturday night in Omaha. The veteran Illini squad has gotten continued great performances from their stars, and also have had someone step up from the other guys in every game. They have yet to have a game when everyone is clicking though, and they may need that down the road, but for Saturday it’s just about effort and intensity from the tip as they try to exorcize some demons from the 2021 tournament and the past 19 years of struggle.
Here’s what we expect.
Setting the Stage
2024 NCAA Tournament // Second Round // East Region
3 Illinois (27-8, 14-6 Big Ten) vs. 11 Duquesne (25-11 Overall, 10-8 Atlantic 10)
Saturday, March 23, 2024 // 7:40 p.m. CT // Omaha, Neb. // CHI Health Center Omaha
TV: TNT – Tom McCarthy (Play-By-Play), Avery Johnson & Debbie Antonelli, AJ Ross (Sideline)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas
National Radio: Westwood One – Kevin Kugler (Play-By-Play), Stephen Bardo (Analyst) Satellite Radio: SiriusXM – 209 or 202
Notables