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Kasparas Jakucionis scores 21, lifts Illinois over Missouri in thriller

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Kasparas Jakucionis scores 21, lifts Illinois over Missouri in thriller



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ST. LOUIS (AP) — Kasparas Jakucionis scored 21 points, including the go-ahead basket with 28 seconds left and Illinois defeated Missouri 80-77 on Sunday in the annual Braggin’ Rights game between the nonconference rivals.

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Illinois held the lead for nearly 30 minutes of game time, but a late rally by Missouri took the game down to the wire. An 11-0 run, capped by Trent Pierce’s layup gave the Tigers a 68-67 lead with about 4 minutes to go.

Jakucionis hit a straight-on 3-pointer for a 75-72 Illinois lead with 2 minutes remaining, but Missouri’s Tamar Bates hit a wide-open 3 in transition to tie it at 75 with 1:14 to go.

After the teams exchanged free throws, Jakucionis, a freshman who has six consecutive 20-point games, drove the right side of the line, stopped, pivoted and hit a turnaround jumper to put Illinois ahead 79-77 with 28 seconds left.

After a miss by Missouri, Kylan Boswell made one of two free throws for a three-point lead. Jacob Crews missed a 3-pointer that could have tied it for Missouri.

Boswell made 11 of 12 free throws and Jakucionis went 8 for 8 for Illinois, which was 22 of 23 from the line. Missouri made 28 free throws but shot only 76% from the line. There 43 total fouls in the game.

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Boswell had 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists for Illinois (8-3). Tre White scored 13 and Tomislav Ivisic had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Mark Mitchell and Tony Perkins scored 18 points each and Bates had 17 for Missouri (10-2), which saw its 10-game winning streak come to an end.

Illinois hosts Chicago State on Dec. 29 and Missouri hosts Alabama State on Dec. 30.

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How to buy Illinois Final Four gear, hats, shirts, hoodies, more

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How to buy Illinois Final Four gear, hats, shirts, hoodies, more


No. 3 Illinois knocked off No. 9 Iowa on Saturday night in Houston, now they’re advancing to the Final Four in the men’s NCAA Tournament.

The Fighting Illini pulled away late and ended their the Hawkeye’s Cinderella run in the Elite Eight with a 71-59 victory.

SHOP: Illinois Final Four tickets

Illinois fans know this is special, it’s the team’s first Final Four appearance since 2005, so now it’s time to celebrate.

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Get the gear the players wore on the court, including Illinois Final Four hats, Illinois Final Four shirts, and more.

Shop ALL Illinois Final Four gear

Illinois Final Four hat

Illinois Final Four shirt

Illinois Final Four game location

Illinois will play its Final Four game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Get your Illinois Final Four NCAA Tournament tickets now.

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Illinois Final Four appearances

The last time the Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball team made the Final Four was in 2005. They also made it in 1989, 1952, 1951 and 1949.

When is the Final Four?

The 2026 NCAA Tournament concludes with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6. Saturday’s games are scheduled for 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. ET respectively, while the National Championship game is set to tip at 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday, April 6.

March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament

  • March 19-20: First round
  • March 21-22: Second round
  • March 26-27: Sweet 16
  • March 28-29: Elite 8
  • April 4-5: Final Four
  • April 6: National Championship

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Champaign places temporary restrictions on alcohol sales as city gears up for Illini-Hawkeyes game

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Champaign places temporary restrictions on alcohol sales as city gears up for Illini-Hawkeyes game


ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team

Saturday, March 28, 2026 1:30PM

Alcohol restrictions in Champaign ahead of Illini-Hawkeyes game

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WLS) — As the Fighting Illini take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight, there will be new liquor laws in place in Champaign.

The mayor signed an executive order, citing concerns to public health.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

After 3 p.m. Saturday, bars and restaurants cannot serve alcohol in glass containers.

And retailers are banned from selling packaged alcohol or to-go cocktails after 6 p.m.

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Alcohol deliveries are also being banned after 6 p.m.

The restrictions will remain in place until 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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Illinois vs Iowa prediction, analysis, Elite Eight expert picks for men’s March Madness

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Illinois vs Iowa prediction, analysis, Elite Eight expert picks for men’s March Madness


The men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament continues with Elite Eight action Saturday with No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 9 Iowa on the two-game schedule.

USA TODAY Sports’ college basketball experts have analyzed all the angles and determined a path to victory for each side. Here’s everything you need to know before the Elite Eight matchup tips off.

USA TODAY has a team of journalists covering the men’s NCAA Tournament to keep you up to date with every point scored, rebound grabbed and game won in the 68-team tournament.

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Illinois will win Elite Eight game vs Iowa if…

  • John Leuzzi: It replicates what it did defensively against Houston.
  • Jordan Mendoza: It controls the interior.
  • Ehsan Kassim: Wagler can win the matchup against Stirtz.
  • Austin Curtright: If its defense plays like it did against Houston.

Iowa will win Elite Eight game vs Illinois  if…

  • John Leuzzi: It limits Illinois on offensive rebounds, and second chance opportunities.
  • Jordan Mendoza: it’s knocking down 3-pointers.
  • Ehsan Kassim: Hawkeyes can make the game slower paced and Illinois misses shots.
  • Austin Curtright: Its bench contributors of Alvaro Folgueiras, Tate Sage and others continue their strong play.

Illinois vs Iowa: 1 Stat to watch

  • John Leuzzi: Bennett Stirtz vs. Keaton Wagler at the point guard battle.
  • Jordan Mendoza: 3-point shot.
  • Ehsan Kassim: Illinois 3-point shooting.
  • Austin Curtright: Illinois’ defense has been outstanding in the NCAA Tournament, despite ranking outside the top 20 in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency.

Illinois vs Iowa Elite Eight prediction

  • John Leuzzi: Iowa
  • Jordan Mendoza: Illinois
  • Ehsan Kassim: Illinois
  • Austin Curtright: Illinois

3 Illinois vs 9 Iowa

  • Opening Moneyline: Illinois (-275), Iowa (+227)
  • Opening Spread: Illinois (-6.5)
  • Opening Total: 139.5

How to Watch Illinois vs Iowa in the Elite Eight

No. 3 Illinois takes on No. 9 Iowa at Toyota Center on March 28 at 6:09 PM The game is airing on TBS.

Stream March Madness on Sling

2026 Men’s March Madness full schedule

See the schedule, live scores and results for all of the NCAA Tournament action here.

  • March 17-18: First Four
  • March 19-20: First Round
  • March 21-22: Second Round
  • March 26-27: Sweet 16
  • March 28-29: Elite 8
  • April 4: Final Four
  • April 6: National Championship



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