Illinois

Wagler scores 46 points to lead No. 11 Illinois to an 88-82 victory over No. 4 Purdue

Published

2 months ago

January 24, 2026

Wagler scores 46 points to lead No. 11 Illinois to an 88-82 victory over No. 4 Purdue

January 24, 2026 / 4:57 PM CST
/ AP

Keaton Wagler scored a career-high 46 points, making nine 3-pointers, as No. 11 Illinois beat No. 4 Purdue 88-82 on Saturday.

Wagler, a freshman guard, shot 13 for 17 overall, 9 of 11 from 3-point range and 11 of 13 on free throws. David Mirkovic added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Illini (17-3, 8-1 Big Ten).

Braden Smith led the Boilermakers (17-3, 7-2) with 27 points and 12 assists. Trey Kaufman-Renn added 12 points for Purdue, which lost its second consecutive game.

The Illini hit 18 of 38 3-pointers while Purdue was 7 of 19.

Wagler had 24 of the Illini’s 39 first-half points, including the first 14.

Smith’s 3-pointer cut Illinois’ lead to 82-80 with 45 seconds left. Wagler answered with a jumper with 18 seconds left, and after Smith made two from the line to again make it a two-point game, Wagler hit two to make it 86-82 with 9.3 seconds left. Purdue then turned the ball over.

Purdue shot 63% percent in the opening half compared to 43% for Illinois. However, the Illini countered that by hitting 9 of 21 3-pointers while the Boilermakers were 3 of 8 on 3-point shots.

Illinois played without reserve center Jason Jakstys, who was out with an injury. Illini coach Brad Underwood previously announced guard Kyle Boswell., who averages 14.3 points, will be out at least a month with a fracture bone in his right hand.

Up next

Illinois: Hosts Washington on Thursday.

Purdue: At Indiana on Tuesday.

In:

Source link

Related Topics:college basketball Featured Illinois Purdue University

Click to comment

Illinois

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

Published

8 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

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.

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.

Shop Illinois Final Four tickets

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

Shop ALL March Madness tickets

Source link

Illinois

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

Published

20 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

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.

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

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

Source link

Illinois

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

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

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.

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.