- #9 Iowa 77, #4 Nebraska 71
The ninth-seeded Hawkeyes advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987 with a 77-71 victory over fourth-seeded Nebraska in the South Regional Semifinal at the Toyota Center in Houston. Alvaro Folgueiras converted a critical three-point play when Nebraska only had four defenders on the floor, and ninth-seeded Iowa continued its unpredictable NCAA Tournament run under first-year coach Ben McCollum.
Iowa weathered Nebraska first half offensive storm to get within 3 just before halftime.
Bennett Stirtz scored 20 points and Folgueiras had 16 for the Hawkeyes, who knocked off top-seeded Florida in the second round and will face Big Ten rival Illinois on Saturday for a spot in the Final Four.
- Illinois 65, Houston 55
HOUSTON (AP) — David Mirkovic had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and third-seeded Illinois flexed its defensive muscles to eliminate last year’s national runner-up from the NCAA Tournament, beating Houston 65-55 in the South Region semifinals. Next up is a meeting Saturday with ninth-seeded Iowa to see which Big Ten team will advance to the Final Four. It will be the 11th Elite Eight appearance for Illinois and its second in three seasons under Brad Underwood.
- Tonight in Chicago #2 seed Iowa State will meet #6 Tennessee as the Cyclones try to secure a spot in the Elite 8 for the first time since 2000.
