Illinois

Illinois High School Sectional Matches To Watch – FloWrestling

Published

2 months ago

February 13, 2026

Illinois High School Sectional Matches To Watch – FloWrestling

The Illinois high school season rolls into sectional week across the state this weekend with the top competitors in the Land of Lincoln vying to secure a spot in Champaign for next week’s state tournament. Here’s a look at some of the top potential sectional matchups on tap for this weekend.

Barrington

126 pounds — Jackson Olson (Hononegah) vs. Oleksandr Havrylkiv (Hersey)

The anticipated final features a clash between a pair of fourth-place finishers from the 2025 season. Olson placed at 120 and Havrylkiv at 113. While Havrylkiv has the more impressive record, Olson’s record reflects a tough schedule that includes tournaments such as Ironman. Placement order at this sectional will be key for Champaign, as this is one of the more open weights and a favorable seed can give a clear path to the finals at state.

Hinsdale Central

113 pounds — James Morrison (Marmion) vs. Erik Klichurov (Montini Catholic)

In a state that embraces schematics over seeding, all too often we get semifinals such as this one. Both Morrison and Klichurov are having impressive seasons and both have cracked the national rankings at various points this season. Morrison and Klichurov have met once this year with Morrison taking home a close victory. The 113-pound class in 3A is one of the deepest weights in Illinois and the winner of this one will put himself in a much more favorable position for seeding in Champaign the following week.

Hinsdale Central

138 pounds — Zach Stewart (Marmion) vs. Griff Powell (Lyons)

In yet another way-too-soon semifinal, returning state placer Griff Powell will run into 2025 state finalist Zach Stewart. Stewart will be the favorite coming in, but Powell has already found success against the Cadets with a win over Demetrios Carrera at the Flavin. This is another early sectional matchup that has potential to be repeated in next Saturday night’s state finals.

144 pounds — Demetrios Carrera (Marmion) vs. Kam Luif (Montini Catholic)

Insane semifinal matchups seem to be the norm at the Hinsdale sectional, and this one will feature Demetrios Carrera, who placed third in 2025 against returning 2A state champion kam Luif. The winner will likely still have to face multiple-time state placer Justin Williamson of Chicago Mount Carmel in the sectional finals. This is one of the deepest sectional weights, featuring three contenders for the title in Champaign, and the winner in Hinsdale will be able to push the other two across the bracket in Champaign.

Conant

120 pounds — Dom Munaretto (St. Charles East) vs. Ray Long (Niles Notre Dame)

This semifinal match is a clash between two returning state champions. Munaretto, a two-time U17 World champion and two-time Ironman champion, will be looking for his third IHSA 3A state title before continuing his career at Ohio State. Long will be looking to derail the future Buckeye’s perfect senior campaign en route to his second state title.

Antioch

190 pounds — Foley Calcagno (IC Catholic) vs. Jaxon Penovich (St. Viator)

With Jimmy Mastny up at 215 for the state series, this semifinal match up has a good probability of being repeated the following weekend in Champaign in the finals. Calcagno who placed third at 215 in his junior campaign, appears to be the biggest obstacle in front of Penovich, who will be looking for his second IHSA state championship.

Geneseo

165 pounds — Wyatt Medlin (Washington) vs.Izaac Gaines (Geneseo)

Medlin, who is highly nationally ranked and will be continuing his career at Illinois, will be a heavy favorite coming into this sectional semifinal. However, Gaines is one of the contenders at this weight, and we all know that strange things happen this time of year. Even if Gaines comes up short, the possibility of a finals rematch the following week in Champaign is definitely not out of the question.

215 pounds — Jimmy Mastny (Marian) vs. Josh Hoffer (Washington)

This is the premier matchup of this sectional and it happens in the semifinals. Both Mastny and Hoffer are returning state champions. Mastny is having a stellar season with a Super 32 championship and high placement at Ironman. Hoffer has had a few more bumps in the road, but has been high in the national rankings at points in the season and will be Mastny’s toughest test as he looks for his third state title.

Byron

106 pounds — Nate Lower (Rockridge) vs. Riley Paredes (Dixon)

This matchup makes the list because whenever you have two wrestlers with a combined 69-3 record meeting in the semifinals, someone is going to be pushed to the backside too early. Neither Lower nor Paredes qualified for the big dance last season and both will be looking to improve their seeding come the following week in Champaign.

113 pounds — Landon Near (Newman) vs. Augustus Swanson (Princeton)

This weight appears to have the marquee finals matchup between returning state placer Landon Near and state qualifier Augustus Swanson. What makes this one interesting is that Near is up from last season when he competed at 106 and Swanson is down from 120 a season ago. This is another weight where the sectional finals can be a prelude to what we will get to see next week in Champaign on Saturday.

165 pounds — Eli Burns (Mercer), Ethan Waugh (Stillman Valley), Tyler Jones (Wheaton Academy), Reily Leifheit (Marquette), Casey Etheridge (Princeton), Ryan Lower (Rockridge), Jonner Smith (Carroll).

This 1A sectional is likely the deepest weight in any class. There are at least three of the top wrestlers in this weight who will not make it out and possibly a fourth if there are any upsets. Though it’s difficult to predict how this weight will play out, the beneficiaries are the wrestlers at 165 from the other three sectionals, as the field will be significantly thinned coming into Champaign.

Source link

Illinois

Our Chicago: How data centers could positively, negatively impact you

Published

2 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

Our Chicago: How data centers could positively, negatively impact you

CHICAGO (WLS) — The I-Team reported in February that there were 164 operating data centers in Illinois, with dozens more in the works.

The city of Joliet recently voted to approve plans for a large data center.

That vote came after hours of public meetings, packed with people eager to weigh in. Joliet city leaders said it would bring tax revenue and financial benefits for the community.

Some residents expressed concerns about the potential environmental impacts.

But, what exactly is a data centers and why are some communities eager to attract them?; Why are so many people opposed to them?

“A data center is going to be a building that provides the space, the power and the infrastructure for everything that we do online today,” said Brad Tietz, the director of state policy for the Data Center Coalition. “So, when you look at where demand is going, for data, so everything we’re doing on the internet, the average household has 21 connected devices to it. We’re going to use twice the amount of data in the next five years than we’ve used in the last ten years.”

Part 2 – Our Chicago: Data Centers

When it comes to the types of jobs created by data centers, he says it depends on the size of the facility.

“There’s going to be technicians, service engineers, etcetera. The real value, especially for Illinois residents, is going to be on the construction side,” Tietz said.

In some communities considering data centers, residents are concerned about their water usage.

“The data center industry has been a large water user, historically, but by no means the largest compared to other industries. And if you look at how efficient the industry is getting, and I’ll remind you too, not every data center uses water. Some are actually using, especially in a colder climate like Illinois, the outdoor air temperature to help cool their facilities,” Tietz said.

Jen Walling is the Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois Environmental Council.

She wrote in Crain’s that “Big Tech” is coming to Illinois and that the state isn’t ready.

“We don’t have the guardrails in place that are going to be necessary to protect our environment, to keep our rates low, to protect our communities and most importantly, protect our water,” Walling said.

Part 1 – Our Chicago: Data Centers

She says the Alliance for the Great Lakes has put out a report where they’ve looked at water usage, and some data centers aren’t using much water.

“Some data centers are using up to five million gallons of water a day. These are huge water users, and they can be taking from different sources including Lake Michigan,” she explained.

“We’re also very concerned about air pollution and the energy usage, these are huge energy users,” Walling said.

She also explained the concerns for people living nearby.

“They need to be on with energy all the time. So, all of these facilities have backup diesel generators. And the residents in the [Aurora] community said that they could smell the methane gas that was being burned, the diesel gas that was being burned. And that’s particulate matter, it’s odor, so these communities face real consequences when something happens,” she said.

Source link

Illinois

Braylon Mullins elevated UConn’s offense. What’s next is ‘a blessing in itself’

Published

14 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Press Room

Braylon Mullins elevated UConn’s offense. What’s next is ‘a blessing in itself’

INDIANAPOLIS — You can sum up Braylon Mullins’ first Lucas Oil Stadium shooting performance like this: a near-dagger and a tongue-wagger.

Six days after becoming a national name with his last-second, game-winning 3-pointer vs. Duke, Mullins scored 15 points in a 71-62 UConn victory over Illinois. The Huskies will play for their third national championship in four years Monday against either Michigan or Arizona.

It was exactly the scenario Mullins envision when he committed to the Huskies in a ceremony at Greenfield-Central less than 18 months earlier.

“These are the moments you play for, and knowing how far and how long this season has been, just to be a part of the national championship – I think that’s a blessing in itself,” Mullins said.

“But we came here to win, so we’re ready for Monday.”

Buy 2026 national championship game tickets!

Mullins made 4 of 7 from behind the arc – two of which came at crucial junctures.

Last things first. Mullins had missed all five of his shots in a scoreless second half when Illinois’ Keaton Wagler scored with 1:38 remaining. It cut the UConn lead – as high as 14 points with under 10 minutes to play – to 63-59.

After a timeout, UConn’s Alex Karaban missed a late shot clock 3, but Silas Demary Jr. grabbed the rebound. The Huskies reset their offense, and Demary later found Mullins, who hit a 3 from the elbow to make it a seven-point game with 52.1 seconds remaining.

“The play got broken down, and we run sets with under 5, 10 seconds on the shot clock,” Mullins said. “I just saw a little bit of separation, and we work on that shot in practice every day, so it just felt like repetition.”

Wagler responded with a 3 on the ensuing possession. Illinois, however, could never make a basket after cutting the lead to two possessions in the final two minutes.

The double-digit lead UConn opened up in the first half had the Illini chasing all night. Mullins snuck one in before halftime to help the cause.

That possession, off an Illinois turnover, began to run late in the shot clock as well. Mullins was aware of the clock, thought he saw a sliver of daylight and took a deep shot – similar to the one he swished in the Elite Eight.

It bounced off the center of the backboard and through the hoop for a 37-27 UConn lead with 47 seconds left in the half. Mullins headed back up the floor smiling, shaking his head and letting that tongue wag a bit.

“If you see a little window, you’ve gotta shoot it,” Mullins said. “I did not call glass, though – but it went in.”

Mullins scored only two points in 10 minutes when UConn and Illinois played at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 28. It was his collegiate debut after the 2025 IndyStar Mr. Basketball missed the first six games with an ankle injury.

Some of the Huskies’ other trusty shooters struggled Saturday. Demary, Alex Karaban and Jaylin Stewart combined to make 3 of 17. Mullins was a big reason why 3-point shooting became one of the night’s decisive elements. UConn finished 12 of 33, while Illinois made only 6 of 26.

Jayden Ross said teammate Jaylin Stewart called Mullins’ final 3 as they sat together on the bench.

“Sure enough, he came off the pin-down and he knocked it down,” Ross said. “He put us in a great spot to pull away. He just gives us great confidence. But he’s also an unselfish player, and he plays real hard on the defensive end too, so he does a little bit of everything.”

UConn will need Mullins’ clutch abilities one more time.

Nathan Baird is IndyStar’s Purdue insider. Sign up for IndyStar’s Boilermakers newsletter for the best Purdue coverage.

Source link

Illinois

UConn vs Illinois live updates, news, predictions, how to watch Final Four game

Published

1 day ago

April 4, 2026

Press Room

UConn vs Illinois live updates, news, predictions, how to watch Final Four game

Billed as the appetizer to this Final Four’s main course, but folks who have been to Indianapolis know the appetizer can oftentimes be the spicier dish.

While many are calling Arizona vs. Michigan the real national championship game, the UConn and Illinois won’t care in Saturday’s first semifinal of the Final Four.

Expect to see a sea of orange at Lucas Oil Stadium (did you see the showing at Friday’s practice?). Champaign’s proximity (two hours) and the program’s first Final Four trip since 2005 have the Illini faithful energized.

They’ll need any advantage they can get facing a team going for its third national title in four years in UConn.

Here’s what you need to know about Saturday’s national semifinal between the Huskies and the Fighting Illini, including predictions and how to watch.

HIT REFRESH FOR UPDATES.

Illinois vs UConn live score

TEAMS	1H	2H	F
Illinois	—	—	—
UConn	—	—	—

What time is Illinois vs UConn Final Four game?

Time: 6:09 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 4.

What channel is UConn vs Illinois? How to watch Final Four, streaming info

The game is airing on TBS, TNT, truTV, streaming via HBO Max.

Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star: Illinois 67, UConn 64. These two programs met in the 2024 Elite Eight with UConn winning by 25 points including a 30-0 run from the Huskies. This national semifinal meeting is also a rematch of the Fighting Illini’s eighth game of the season. Illinois lost that Nov. 28 game, 74-61 at Madison Square Garden despite 25 points by Kylan Boswell. Freshman phenom Keaton Wagler has been a steady offensive presence, dropping 25 in the Elite 8 win over Iowa. However, Andrej Stojakovic has been the X-factor off the bench. He’s averaging 15 points in the NCAA tournament. UConn is back in the Final Four for a third time in four seasons, winning back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024. Huskies senior center Tarris Reed Jr. has been a monster during the Big Dance, averaging 21.8 points and 13.5 rebounds.
Blake Toppmeyer: Illinois. Credit UConn for incredible comeback, but don’t overlook Illinois. The Illini looked dominant coming out of the South, and they have enough offense to turn back a clutch UConn team.
John Brice: UConn. How could anyone pick against Dan Hurley’s squad at this point? Hurley’s now 18-1 in his past three March Madness appearances. The Huskies will play for a third crown in four seasons.
Paul Myerberg: UConn. The backcourt play and just enough beef up front to repeat November’s 13-point win against the Illini in MSG. And after the miracle comeback against Duke, the Huskies feel like a team of destiny.
Jordan Mendoza: UConn. The Huskies ride the high of the Elite Eight comeback and the 3-point shot returns to advanced to the national championship again.
Eddie Timanus: UConn. I would have to be a complete idiot to pick against UConn at this phase of the Big Dance. We seen ‘team of destiny’ shots in the Elite Eight before, haven’t we?
Matt Glenesk: Illinois. I originally picked UConn, but have changed my mind. There’s something about Illinois’ offensive firepower and wave of big bodies they can throw at opponents that has me convinced of an All-Big Ten national championship.
John Leuzzi: UConn. When these two met in late November at Madison Square Garden, UConn won by 13. While the margin of victory may not be like that this time around, the Huskies do get their second win of the season against the Illini. Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban continue to have big games, while Braylon Mullins delivers a big-time shot in front of the home crowd. UConn’s defense is looking like a top 5 unit again.
Brent Schrotenboer: UConn. That ending against Duke makes it look like destiny is calling again, at least for one more game.
Craig Meyer: UConn. The Illini haven’t just won on their way to their first Final Four in 21 years, but they’ve been dominant, winning each of their four tournament games by at least 10 points. They’ve only played one team better than a No. 9 seed, though, and the more battle-tested Huskies will be able to lean on Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban to pull out a close win. One thing to keep in mind with Illinois: no team has ever lost its first conference tournament game, like the Illini did against Wisconsin in the Big Ten tournament, and gone on to win the national championship.
Ehsan Kassim: Illinois. UConn has required surviving two scares to reach this point. Illinois on the other hand has been dominant in the South Region. Give me the Illini.
Moneyline: Illinois (-135); UConn (+110)
Spread: Illinois (-1.5)
Over/under total: 139.5

Illinois Final Four bold prediction

Ehsan Kassim: The Illini are going to win the whole thing this year.
Austin Curtright: Illinois loses by double digits to UConn.

UConn Final Four bold prediction

John Leuzzi: Solo Ball has a breakout moment and reminds the country why he was one of the top one of 3-point shooters in the country last season.
Jordan Mendoza: The Huskies lose their first Final Four game in the Dan Hurley era.
Austin Curtright: UConn’s 3-pointers start to fall. UConn have only made double-digit 3-pointers in a game once since Feb. 18, but will do it twice in two games at the Final Four.

Illinois road to Final Four

First round: beat No. 14 Penn, 105-70
Second round: beat No. 11 VCU, 76-55
Sweet 16: beat No. 2 Houston, 65-55
Elite Eight: beat No. 9 Iowa, 71-59

UConn road to Final Four

First round: beat No. 15 Furman, 82-71
Second round: beat No. 7 UCLA, 73-57
Sweet 16: beat No. 3 Michigan State, 67-63
Elite Eight: beat No. 1 Duke, 73-72

Illinois basketball stat leaders

SCORING

Keaton Wagler, 17.9 ppg
Andrej Stojakovic, 13.6 ppg
David Mirkovic, 13.5 ppg
Kylan Boswell, 12.5 ppg
Tomislav Ivisic, 10. 2 ppg

REBOUNDING

David Mirkovic, 8.1 rpg
Tomislav Ivisic, 5.6 rpg
Keaton Wagler, 5.0 rpg

ASSISTS

Keaton Wagler, 4.3 apg
Kylan Boswell, 3.1 apg
David Mirkovic, 2.6 apg

UConn basketball stat leaders

SCORING

Tarris Reed Jr.: 14.7 ppg
Alex Karaban, 13.2 ppg
Solo Ball, 12.9 ppg
Braylon Mullins, 11.9 ppg
Silas Demary Jr., 10.4 ppg

REBOUNDING

Tarris Reed Jr., 8.8 rpg
Alex Karaban, 5.2 rpg
Silas Demary Jr., 4.5 rpg

ASSISTS

Silas Demary Jr., 5.9 apg
Malachi Smith, 3.0 apg

Illinois basketball Final Four history; Has Illinois ever won a national championship?

This is the Illini’s sixth trip to the Final Four and first since 2005. The school has never won an NCAA national championship in men’s basketball.

1949: lost semifinal to Kentucky, 76-47
1951: lost semifinal to Kentucky, 76-74
1952: lost semifinal to St. John’s, 61-59
1989: lost semifinal to Michigan, 83-81
2005: won semifinal vs. Louisville, 72-57; lost in final to North Carolina, 75-70

UConn basketball Final Four history: How many national championships have UConn won?

This is UConn’s eighth trip to the Final Four, all since 1999. The Huskies have won six national titles in their seven previous trips.

1999: won semifinal vs. Ohio State, 64-58; won final vs. Duke, 77-74
2004: won semifinal vs. Duke, 79-78; won final vs. Georgia Tech, 82-73
2009: lost semifinal vs. Michigan State, 82-73
2011: won semifinal vs. Kentucky, 56-55; won final vs. Butler, 53-41
2014: won semifinal vs. Florida, 63-53; won final vs. Kentucky, 60-54
2023: won semifinal vs. Miami, 72-59; won final vs. San Diego State, 76-59
2024: won semifinal vs. Alabama, 86-72; won final vs. Purdue, 75-60

Is Andrej Stojakovic related to Peja Stojakovic?

Yes, Peja is his dad. Peja Stojakovic played 13 seasons in the NBA, primarily for the Sacramento Kings, and was a three-time All-Star.

Andrej played at Cal and Stanford before transferring to Illinois.

How many Europeans are on Illinois’ team? Why does Illinois have so many Europeans on its roster?

David Mirkovic is from Montenegro
Andrej Stojakovic lists Thessaloniki, Greece as his hometown
Tomislav Ivisic is from Croatia
Zvonimir Ivisic is from Croatia
Mihailo Petrovic is from Serbia
Toni Bilic is from Croatia

“Geoff Alexander, Orlando Antigua deserve most all of the credit in terms of building the relationships in Europe,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. “It’s taken years. NIL has obviously helped enhance our abilities to attract some of the best players in Europe. But they’re a great fit for us. It’s not for everybody. I enjoy coaching ’em. They fit our university. We’re a diverse university with a lot of international students, so it’s a perfect fit for them.

“Basketball-wise it’s a great fit for me, and I like coaching them. The way we’re playing with positional size and shooting, it’s just — it’s a great marriage and a great fit. So we’ll continue it. I would think others will continue to migrate over there and keep trying to recruit those guys.”

UConn freshman Braylon Mullins’ game-winner vs Duke gives him a homecoming

No. 1 Duke was leading the Huskies by two when Silas Demary Jr. deflected a pass by Cayden Boozer with six seconds left.

Braylon Mullins scooped up the ball around halfcourt and dished to Alex Karaban, who gave it right back. Mullins then drained the 35-footer with 0.4 seconds left to beat Duke and send UConn to its third Final Four in four years.

“That moment is over. It’s an incredible moment. You’ll have that moment the rest of your life. But we came here for rings, not watches,” Hurley said.

Mullins, the 2025 Indiana Mr. Basketball who played at Greenfield-Central, will be playing in front of plenty of friends and family this weekend. Greenfield is 30 minutes east of Indianapolis.

“It’s unbelievable to be in the position I am,” Mullins said. “I think it just makes everything a little sweeter knowing that I’m playing in front of family and friends. I can’t wait to see everybody in open practice tomorrow and see everybody at the game.”

Illinois’ Jake Davis gets to play at home for Final Four, too

The Illini forward is from McCordsville, Indiana, a suburb northeast of Indianapolis, and played at Indy’s Cathedral High School. He began his college career at Mercer before transferring to Illinois after the 2024 season. At Cathedral, Davis was known as “the guy who takes charges.”

Illinois forward Ben Humrichous is also from Indiana, from nearby Tipton, about an hour north. He began his college career at Indiana’s Huntington University (NAIA) and then transferred to Evansville.

Brad Underwood says Illinois will ‘turn Indy orange’, ‘kick everybody’s ass there’

On Sunday, Brad Underwood addressed a crowd of fans on campus:

“We had a huge group in Houston. I know we’re going to turn it out in Indy. That’s the story. We’re going to turn Indy orange.. and blue. And kick everybody’s ass there.”

Keaton Wagler 2026 NBA Draft mock draft prediction

Atlanta Hawks, pick No. 7.

Kalbrosky’s Analysis:

After trading away Trae Young, the Hawks could find their point guard of the future in Illinois standout Keaton Wagler using a first-round pick they received from the Pelicans. The 19-year-old guard scored 46 points while shooting 9-of-11 on 3-pointers against No. 12 Purdue on Jan. 24. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, shooting 41.0 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman this year. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year is a cerebral basketball player who is also averaging 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game this season.

∎ Read more about Keaton Wagler’s rise from unknown for freshman superstar.

Source link