Illinois’ march to the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis began in October with a 92-65 exhibition victory over Illinois State — which lost in the NIT semifinals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. And it ended with a 71-62 national semifinal loss to Connecticut.
The Illini were making their first Final Four appearance since 2005, when Dee Brown, Deron Williams and company advanced to the national championship game under coach Bruce Weber before falling to North Carolina.
Illinois (28-8), which won the South Region as the No. 3 seed, played in its sixth Final Four in program history and needed two wins in roughly 53 hours to earn its first national title.
How did Illinois get here? Looking back at the Illini’s regular season, Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament.
November
Illinois forward David Mirković gets trapped in the first half against Alabama on Nov. 19, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois gave fans a glimpse of what would become the top-rated offensive team in the nation, according to KenPom rankings, with a pair of 113-point efforts in blowout wins against Jackson State and Florida Gulf Coast. The Illini passed their first true test of the season, defeating a ranked Texas Tech team in Champaign behind Andrej Stojaković’s 23 points. They suffered their first loss eight days later, missing 9 of 22 free-throw attempts in a four-point defeat to No. 11 Alabama at the United Center. Illinois closed the month with a wire-to-wire loss to UConn at Madison Square Garden in a Final Four preview.
Record: 6-2
December
Illinois’ Tomislav Ivišić reacts after a basket during the first half against Tennessee in the Music City Madness at Bridgestone Arena on Dec. 6, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. Ivišić scored 16 points in the Illini’s 75-62 win. (Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty)
After beginning the month with a convincing victory against another ranked nonconference opponent in Tennessee, the Illini dipped their toes into the Big Ten gauntlet, winning their conference opener at Ohio State before a close loss to an upstart Nebraska team in Champaign. Illinois then embarrassed Missouri by 43 points in St. Louis for the most lopsided victory in the history of the Braggin’ Rights rivalry. Freshman guard Keaton Wagler made five 3-pointers and scored 22 points in the rout.
Record: 10-3 (1-1 in the Big Ten)
January
Illinois guard Keaton Wagler takes a shot over Purdue’s Oscar Cluff on Jan. 24, 2026, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. (Justin Casterline/Getty)
The new year started perfectly for Illinois, which went 8-0 in the month. Included in what would become a season-high 12-game winning streak were road victories over future Elite Eight foe Iowa and Purdue. Wagler scored an Illinois freshman record 46 points on 13-for-17 shooting to help knock off the fourth-ranked Boilermakers at Mackey Arena. He hit nine 3-pointers — also an Illinois record. “The ceiling is national championship,” Wagler said after the upset. “That’s our goal. That’s been our goal since the beginning, and this just proves we’re a contender for that.”
Record: 18-3 (8-1 in the Big Ten)
February
Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr., left, is fouled by Illinois forward Jake Davis in the first half at State Farm Center on Feb. 27, 2026, in Champaign. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) comes down with a rebound in the first half against Illinois at State Farm Center on Feb. 27, 2026, in Champaign. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) aims for the basket as Illinois center Zvonimir Ivišić defends in the first half at State Farm Center on Feb. 27, 2026, in Champaign. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois forward Ben Humrichous wipes off sweat as he walks off the court after a 84-70 loss to Michigan at State Farm Center on Feb. 27, 2026, in Champaign. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois guard Andrej Stojaković (2) walks off the court after a 84-70 loss to Michigan at State Farm Center on Feb. 27, 2026, in Champaign. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
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Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr., left, is fouled by Illinois forward Jake Davis in the first half at State Farm Center on Feb. 27, 2026, in Champaign. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
After avenging their loss to Nebraska with their second road win over a top-five team in nine days and embarrassing Northwestern by 40 points in Champaign, the Illini dropped four of their next five — three in overtime — as part of a .500 month. First, Jeremy Fears Jr. and host Michigan State snapped Illinois’ 12-game winning streak, followed by a two-point OT defeat to Wisconsin at the State Farm Center to hand the Illini consecutive losses for the first time this season. After back-to-back blowout wins, Illinois closed the month with two straight L’s — at UCLA and then at home to Michigan, which clinched the Big Ten regular-season title with the easy win.
Record: 22-7 (13-5 in the Big Ten)
March
Illinois center Zvonimir Ivišić (44) dunks over Maryland guard George Turkson Jr. (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, March 8, 2026, in College Park, Md. (Daniel Kucin Jr./AP)
The Illini cruised past Oregon in their final home game of the regular season, then beat a feisty Maryland team in College Park to clinch the No. 4 seed and a triple bye in the Big Ten Tournament. Illinois headed into the postseason at 24-7 overall and finished 15-5 in conference play.
Regular-season record: 24-7 (15-5 in the Big Ten)
Big Ten Tournament
Illinois guard Keaton Wagler (23) and forward David Mirković head to the locker room after a 91-88 overtime loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament on March 13, 2026, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois forward David Mirković bites his uniform as the buzzer sounds on a 91-88 overtime loss to Wisconsin during the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois guard Keaton Wagler (23) makes the final shot attempt of the game before the buzzer sounds on a 91-88 overtime loss to Wisconsin during the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd encourages fans to make noise in the second half against Illinois during the Big Ten Tournament on March 13, 2026, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois forward David Mirković (0) aims for the basket in overtime against Wisconsin during the Big Ten Tournament on March 13, 2026, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois forward David Mirković (0) is fouled by Wisconsin guard Andrew Rohde (7) in overtime during the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Wisconsin coaches celebrate a 3-pointer in overtime against Illinois during the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois fans show frustration over the officiating in overtime of an Illinois-Wisconsin game during the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Wisconsin guard John Blackwell, center, grabs a loose ball in the second half against Illinois during the Big Ten Tournament on March 13, 2026, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois guard Kylan Boswell (4) aims for the basket as Wisconsin guard John Blackwell (25) defends in the second half during the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) aims for the net as Illinois guard Keaton Wagler (23) defends in the first half during the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois forward David Mirković (0) makes a successful hook shot in the second half against Wisconsin during the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois coach Brad Underwood argues with an official in the second half against Wisconsin during the Big Ten Tournament on March 13, 2026, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois guard Kylan Boswell, left, and Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd get chippy in the first seconds of the first half during the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois center Zvonimir Ivišić (44) dunks in the first half against Wisconsin during the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
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Illinois guard Keaton Wagler (23) and forward David Mirković head to the locker room after a 91-88 overtime loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament on March 13, 2026, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois’ tournament run at the United Center ended the same day it started. The Illini had taken a 15-point lead against Wisconsin midway through the second half of their Big Ten quarterfinal. Then Badgers guards John Blackwell and Nick Boyd, who had fueled a February upset of the Illini, took over. The veteran duo combined for 69 points — including 50 after halftime — to help No. 5 seed Wisconsin knock off the Illini in overtime. “We just lost focus,” Underwood said.
NCAA Tournament
As the No. 3 seed in the regional, the Illini opened the tournament with a rout of Penn in Greenville, S.C., behind freshmen David Mirković and Wagler. Mirković had 29 points and set an Illinois NCAA Tournament rebounding record with 17, while Wagler had 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
The Illini then put on a show in a 21-point win over No. 11 seed VCU in the second round, setting up a Sweet 16 matchup with No. 2 seed Houston at the Toyota Center — just 2 miles from the Cougars campus. Illinois rode its defense to a 10-point win for its second Elite Eight berth in three years.
Coach Brad Underwood celebrates after Illinois beat Iowa 71-59 in an Elite Eight game in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Houston. (Ashley Landis/AP)
Illinois players celebrate after beating Iowa in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Houston. (Ashley Landis/AP)
Keaton Wagler celebrates with a piece of the net after Illinois defeated Iowa 71-59 in the South Region final to advance to the Foul Four of the NCAA Tournament on March 28, 2026, in Houston. (Kenneth Richmond/Getty)
Kylan Boswell holds a piece of the net after Illinois defeated Iowa an Elite Eight game Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Houston. (Eric Gay/AP)
Illinois players pour confetti on coach Brad Underwood after the Illini earned a spot in the Final Four with a 71-59 win over Iowa in the South Region final of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Houston. (Ashley Landis/AP)
Illinois players celebrate after beating Iowa in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Houston. (Ashley Landis/AP)
The Illinois basketball team celebrates after beating Iowa in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Houston. (Ashley Landis/AP)
Illinois coach Brad Underwood and Kylan Boswell celebrate after defeating Iowa in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on March 28, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Alex Slitz/Getty)
Tomislav Ivišić celebrates Illinois’ win over Iowa in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on March 28, 2026 in Houston. (Alex Slitz/Getty)
Illinois coach Brad Underwood hoists the trophy with his team after defeating Iowa in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on March 28, 2026, in Houston. (Alex Slitz/Getty)
Keaton Wagler (23), Andrej Stojaković and Kylan Boswell (4) celebrate after Illinois beat Iowa 71-59 in an Elite Eight game in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Houston. (Eric Gay/AP)
Keaton Wagler, Kylan Boswell and their Illinois teammates pose with the trophy after defeating Iowa in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on March 28, 2026 in Houston. (Kenneth Richmond/Getty)
Keaton Wagler celebrates as time expires in Illinois’ 71-59 win over Iowa in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on March 28, 2026 in Houston. (Alex Slitz/Getty)
Student fans and others celebrate at the University of Illinois Alma Mater statue on the Champaign-Urbana campus after Illinois beats Iowa in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game March 28, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Student fans and others celebrate at the University of Illinois Alma Mater statue on the Champaign-Urbana campus after Illinois beats Iowa in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game March 28, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Student fans and others celebrate at the University of Illinois alma mater statue on the Champaign-Urbana campus after Illinois beats Iowa in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game March 28, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
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Coach Brad Underwood celebrates after Illinois beat Iowa 71-59 in an Elite Eight game in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Houston. (Ashley Landis/AP)
The Illini then rallied from an early 10-point deficit against Iowa to punch their ticket to the Final Four for the first time in 21 years. Wagler scored 25 points en route to being named South Region MVP. “I didn’t doubt we would get there,” Underwood said. “I just didn’t know when.”
Now, they are headed to the Final Four for the sixth time in program history and first time since the 2005 run to the national championship game. They advance to the national semifinal in Indianapolis and will play Connecticut after the Huskies knocked off top-seeded Duke on an astonishing, desperation 3-pointer in the East Region Final.
Illinois forward Tomislav Ivišić bows his head on the court after a 71-62 loss to UConn in the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois forward David Mirković, left, and guard Keaton Wagler walk off the court after their 71-62 loss to UConn in the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Andrej Stojaković, left, and Keaton Wagler ride a cart to a postgame news conference after Illinois’ 71-62 loss to UConn in a Final Four semifinal on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Tomislav Ivišić puts a towel over his head in the locker room after Illinois’ 71-62 loss to UConn in a Final Four semifinal on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois guard Andrej Stojaković (2) goes up for a shot against UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr. during the first half of a Final Four semifinal on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
UConn guard Solo Ball (1) goes up for a dunk during the second half of a Final Four semifinal against Illinois on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois coach Brad Underwood acknowledges the fans after the Illini’s 71-62 loss to UConn in a Final Four semifinal on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
UConn guard Braylon Mullins (24) goes up for a basket during the second half of a Final Four game against Illinois on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois players watch from the bench in the final minute of their 71-62 loss to UConn in the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
UConn guard Braylon Mullins (24) hits a 3-point shot in the final minute in front of Illinois guard Keaton Wagler during the second half of the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois guard Andrej Stojaković (2) makes a basket to cut the UConn lead to six during the second half of the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois center Tomislav Ivišić (13) blocks a shot from UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. during the second half of the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois center Tomislav Ivišić (13) drives to the basket against UConn forwards Jayden Ross (23) and Tarris Reed Jr. during the second half of the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) fouls Illinois forward David Mirković during the second half of the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois guard Keaton Wagler (23) drives against UConn forward Alex Karaban during the second half of the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois forward Ben Humrichous (3) and UConn forward Alex Karaban (11) lock arms waiting for a free-throw rebound during the second half of the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois center Tomislav Ivišić (13) shoots over UConn center Eric Reibe during the second half of the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois forward Jake Davis (15) is fouled by UConn guard Solo Ball during the second half of the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
UConn guard Solo Ball reacts after being called for a foul against Illinois during the second half of the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois forwards Ben Humrichous (3) and David Mirković try to stop UConn guard Braylon Mullins during the first half of the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois forward Ben Humrichous (3) and guard Andrej Stojaković defend UConn guard Braylon Mullins during the first in the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois forward David Mirković (0) and center Zvonimir Ivišić guard UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr. in the first half during the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
UConn guard Braylon Mullins sticks out his tongue after making a shot during the first half of the Final Four against Illinois on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois guard Andrej Stojaković (2) goes to the basket and is fouled by UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr. during the first half in the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois guard Kylan Boswell (4) fouls UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. during the second half of the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois center Tomislav Ivišić (13) works against UConn center Eric Reibe in the first half during the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
UConn guard Solo Ball (1) fouls Illinois guard Andrej Stojaković early in the second half during the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) works against UConn center Eric Reibe in the first half of the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois guard Keaton Wagler (23) works against UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. in the first half during the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois center Tomislav Ivišić (13) catches a pass in front of UConn forward Jayden Ross in the first half during the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
UConn forward Jaylin Stewart fouls Illinois forward David Mirković in the first half during the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
UConn guard Braylon Mullins (24) reacts after hitting a first-half shot against Illinois in the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois guard Andrej Stojaković (2) shoots over UConn forward Alex Karaban in the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
UConn forward Alex Karaban (11) shoots between Illinois forwards Ben Humrichous (3) and David Mirković during the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois fans cheer before the Final Four game against UConn on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois wing Andrej Stojaković runs onto the court before the Final Four game against UConn on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois coach Brad Underwood is driven to the locker room before the Illini’s Final Four game against UConn on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Hudson Coady, 20, puts on a basketball hat before the Final Four game between Illinois and UConn on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Fans take their seats before the Final Four game between Illinois and UConn on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Fans take their seats before the Final Four game between Illinois and UConn on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Kurt Bloomstrand holds his 1-year-old son, Jospeh, before Illinois’ Final Four game against UConn on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
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Illinois forward Tomislav Ivišić bows his head on the court after a 71-62 loss to UConn in the Final Four on April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Underwood stood in a tunnel at Lucas Oil Stadium underneath giant blow-up photos of his players. Wagler, shooting with a look of easy focus. Mirković, his mouth in a straight line, looking to pass with urgency. Stojaković, bellowing with joy. And more.
And now, four hours later, it was all over, a dream season, one of the best in Illinois history, cut a game short after Connecticut’s 71-62 victory to advance to the national championship game against Michigan.
But what made Underwood crack, tears filling his eyes, was that the loss cut the memories short. “To see the orange and blue out, I can’t thank them enough,” he said. “I hope this team created memories that last a lifetime for a lot of people. No matter what age. It did for me.”