BOSTON — Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 29 issues and Illinois reached the Elite 8 for the primary time since 2005, beating Iowa State 72-69 in an East Area semifinal on Thursday evening.
Shannon had 20 issues within the first part for the third-seeded Illini (29-8), who by no means trailed. He broke away for a dunk within the final seconds and later hit two unfastened throws to assist Illinois after all put away the second-seeded Cyclones (29-8).
Illinois made an NCAA Event regional ultimate for the fourth time prior to now 40 years and can meet protecting champion UConn on Saturday for a commute to the Ultimate 4. The highest-seeded Huskies defeated San Diego State 82-52 within the previous East semifinal.
Curtis Jones scored 26 issues and Keshon Gilbert had 14 for Iowa State, which got here into March Insanity having blown out Houston for the Large 12 Event identify.
The Illini have made the previous 4 NCAA Tournaments below seventh-year trainer Brad Underwood, who had by no means taken them previous the primary weekend till this yr. Coleman Hawkins added 12 issues and used to be the one different Illinois participant in double figures.
The Illini’s lead used to be right down to 68-64 with below a minute to play ahead of a turnover by way of Milan Momcilovic discovered its technique to Shannon, who drove in a for a two-handed dunk with 24 seconds left.
Jones used to be fouled on a 3-point try and dropped in all 3 unfastened throws to make it 70-67, however Shannon lightly made two foul pictures with 6 seconds left.
The Cyclones struggled offensively within the first part, trailing 36-26 on the ruin, however discovered their contact after halftime. A floater by way of Gilbert were given Iowa State inside of 51-49 with 9:46 final.
Gilbert then were given a scouse borrow — one in every of Iowa State’s 11 — and sprinted in for a possible tying layup, however it rolled off the rim.
Iowa State later misfired with any other likelihood to tie it up, this time resulting in a riding layup by way of Illinois’ Marcus Domask. He finished a three-point play to make it 56-51.
When Iowa State were given it again inside of 3 a couple of possessions later, Domask got here thru once more, pulling down a three to push the Illini’s lead again to 62-56.
Illinois entered the evening with the highest offensive potency score within the match, however it used to be its protection that stood out on the outset.
The Illini’s recreation plan used to be to chase the Cyclones off the 3-point line and cause them to check out contested pictures throughout the arc. It labored for many of the first part as Iowa State’s capturing share fell below 20% close to the halfway level. The Cyclones additionally had a greater than five-minute scoring drought.
Iowa State got here in boasting the tourney’s most productive protection and began the sport with a scouse borrow by way of Gilbert. However the Cyclones had few highlights past that within the opening 20 mins.
Illinois took a handy guide a rough 11-2 lead whilst Iowa State went scoreless for almost 4 mins.
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Illinois and UConn will meet in March Insanity for the primary time.