NO. 3 ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI
RECORD: 28-8
COACH: Brad Underwood, seventh season
CONFERENCE: Big Ten
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Beat No. 14 Morehead State, 85-69; Beat No. 11 Duquesne, 89-63
PLAYER TO WATCH: Terrence Shannon Jr., senior guard
OUTLOOK: Illinois stars Terrence Shannon Jr. and Coleman Hawkins each withdrew their names from the NBA draft last year to return to school in part to run it back with the Illini and try to make some history. They did so, helping them advance to their first Sweet 16 since 2005 – and they certainly want more.
Illinois arrives to TD Garden boasting an offense that Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla would probably love. The Illini own the nation’s No. 1 offense, per KenPom, and the unit seems to be peaking at the right time. The Big Ten tourney champions are averaging 91.3 points over their last four games.
Shannon Jr. leads the attack, and he might be the most exciting and talented player to grace the court in Boston this weekend. The 6-foot-6 guard – a projected NBA first-round pick this spring – is the nation’s third leading scorer and nearly unstoppable in the open floor with his speed and athleticism. He has scored at least 25 points in his last six games, including 30 points in Illinois’ second-round victory over Duquesne. Defenses also can’t ignore Marcus Domask, who became the ninth player in NCAA Tournament history – and last since Ja Morant in 2019 – to record a tripledouble in Illinois’ win over Morehead State. If the Illini can get by Iowa State, an Elite Eight matchup against UConn would be an offensive dream.