Illini Season Ends In Elite Eight Defeat to UConn, 77-52

By IlliniGuys Staff

March 30, 2024

BOSTON, Mass. - Illinois' breakthrough run in the NCAA Tournament ended with a 77-52 loss to UConn in the East Regional Final Saturday night.

The Illini surrendered a 9-0 lead to the Huskies, but battled back to tie the game at 23.  UConn scored the final five points of the half, then opened the second half on a 25-0 run to break the game open and put the Illinois season on ice.  Illinois missed 18 of its first 20 shots in the second half as Illinois scored a season-low point total.

Marcus Domask scored 15 of his team-high 17 points in the first half.  Terrence Shannon finished with 8 points in his final game as a collegian, ending his 41-game streak of scoring in double figures.

Illinois finishes the season at 29-9, the third-most wins in a single season in program history.

Stay with IlliniGuys.com for complete coverage from Boston.

 

Podcasts

Illini Crush Western Michigan - #502

Listen

IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular - $100 Million Donation, Illini Football Update & Canelo vs Crawford S5Ep5 - 9.12.25

Listen

Illinois Football Preview - Western Michigan - #501

Listen

Illini Destroy Duke 45-19 #500

Listen

Illini FB at Duke & Arch Panic - S5Ep4 - 9.5.25

Listen

Illini Football Preview versus Duke - #499

Listen

Illini Destroy Leathernecks 52-3 - #498

Listen

Illini FB is Here, So Is Petrovic & Illini in NFL - S5Ep3 - 8.29.25

Listen

I on the Illini - Western Illinois Preview #497

Listen

Illini FB & BB Updates & Phil Steele on the 2025 Illini FB Season - S5Ep2 - 8.22.25

Listen

1st Show of 5th Season, Illini FB Ranked #12 - S5Ep1 - 8.15.25

Listen

The Top 5 Illini Basketball Coaches in IlliniGuy Memory - #496

Listen

Greg Glass – NIL Primer & Can Fanstake.com Help Attract & Retain Athletic Talent - #495

Listen

Interviews with Bret Bielema, Cam Crocker & Matt Stevens - S4Ep52 - 8.8.25

Listen

Illini FB Coach Bret Bielema Chats with Mike & Rob Louthain Talks NIL & Illini Media - #494

Listen