1 DAY AGO • SI.COM
Best of the Presser: What Brad Underwood and the Illini Are Saying Ahead of Elite Eight Underwood and a trio of Illini players spoke about the Houston game and previewed Saturday's Elite Eight matchup against Iowa
Keaton Wagler's message to Illini fans proves Houston had no home-court advantage The Toyota Center might as well have been called 'State Farm South' because for the majority of the second half against Houston it sounded l...
2 DAYS AGO • WRITINGILLINI.COM
Brad Underwood's effusive praise highlights the most underrated part of Keaton Wagler's game Keaton Wagler is one of college basketball's most exciting scorers, but he had to be much more than that in the Illini's Sweet 16 win over H...
2 DAYS AGO • WRITINGILLINI.COM
Brad Underwood's comparison for this year's Illinois team has fans thinking, what if? Three wins down, three more to go... The Illinois Fighting Illini are heading to the Elite Eight. The No. 3 seed in the South Region will be...
2 DAYS AGO • WRITINGILLINI.COM
Kylan Boswell - Helps ice game from charity stripe Boswell recorded six points (0-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-10 FT), four rebounds and two assists across 30 minutes during Thursday's 65-55 win over Houston.
Impact Boswell didn't register a single successful field-goal attempt, but the senior guard managed to hit a few clutch free throws late to help ice the game for the Illini. Boswell may not be playing at the same level he was prior to missing a seven-game stretch due to a fractured hand, as he's averaging 10.3 ppg in three NCAA Tournament games and has hit the 15-point mark just once in 10 games since his return from injury. That said, this is an incredibly efficient Illinois offense that spreads the ball around, so he's not always needed as an offensive catalyst.
2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE
Keaton Wagler - Logs 12 boards in Sweet 16 Wagler contributed 13 points (4-14 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-5 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal across 38 minutes during Thursday's 65-55 win over Houston.
Impact It wasn't Wagler's best shooting day, but he put up a season high in rebounding en route to his third double-double of the season. He's now averaging 15.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg and 4.0 apg through three NCAA Tournament games, and the diverse skill set on display is undoubtedly raising his NBA Draft stock, with potentially multiple more opportunities before the season comes to a close.
2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE
David Mirkovic - Leads balanced scoring attack Mirkovic logged 14 points (6-13 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 0-2 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and one block across 34 minutes during Thursday's 65-55 victory over Houston.
Impact Mirkovic led the Illini in the upset victory, recording his first fourth double-double in his last seven games. Through three NCAA Tournament contests, the freshman is averaging 16.7 ppg, 10.7 rpg and 3.0 apg. He'll look to keep the magic going Saturday in the Elite Eight, where Illinois will be favored against fellow Big Ten foes in Iowa.
2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE
