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00:00Гайко.
00:02It feels good to Гайко.
00:05Corona.
00:07La Playa awaits.
00:09And by The Home Depot,
00:12the official home improvement partner of March Madness.
00:20Beautiful night in Houston.
00:22We're back at the Elite Eight.
00:23Let's take a look at the Marriott Bonvoy first-half numbers.
00:27The terrific shooting of Iowa.
00:30The assist for the Hawkeyes.
00:32And they have led the entire time.
00:35Moments ago, Lauren caught up with the Illini guard,
00:39Andrei Stojakovic.
00:42Andrei, every time you get in the game, it changes for the better.
00:45How will you spend the next 20 minutes?
00:47Continuing our aggression on both sides of the floor.
00:49You know, keep the intensity up and match their physicality.
00:53That's the name of the game right now.
00:54How do you get back to that efficient Illinois offense we know so well?
00:57We gotta just trust our work.
00:59We can't be phased by any runs that they go on,
01:01and we just gotta continue to play our game.
01:03Appreciate it.
01:03Yeah, thank you.
01:04They didn't connect in the last five and a half minutes of the first half.
01:08No, they did not.
01:09And look, Iowa's been far more efficient,
01:12and their defense has taken Illinois off the three-point line where they're good.
01:16Illinois averages 11 made threes a game, and shoots 31 of them.
01:21They were only one for eight in the first half.
01:24Well, the offensive glass is where Illinois has been able to stay in this thing.
01:28The shots haven't fallen, but they have gotten second chances.
01:31And this guy right here has had a quiet first half in Cooper Koch.
01:34Illinois gets a stop.
01:35Now they can get out and go.
01:38It's Walkler.
01:39He began well, cooled off as the half went on for the Illini.
01:46Underneath, Ivisich.
01:47Well, he never misses in there, Roddy.
01:49You're the one who said it to me.
01:51He's only one for, or two for three tonight.
01:54He was nine for ten coming in, but he shoots 60% of his shots on the year from three
01:59-point range.
02:00But he did a great job of getting to the strong side there.
02:02Just relocating, finding some open space, and getting his bread and butter.
02:06When he's inside, he's pretty much automatic.
02:09Sturge will probe.
02:11Banks will drive.
02:12Explodes into the paint.
02:13And right into Mirkovic.
02:15With the rebound collected by Walkley.
02:18Better decisions there defensively by Illinois.
02:20You do not need to be rotating to those guys on the roll or the drive.
02:26Make them finish.
02:27They want to pass them off.
02:30Yes, Boswell got the screen.
02:33Down low Mirkovic.
02:36And Sturge is there.
02:38The clock is at six.
02:39It's outside in Ivisich.
02:42Inside.
02:43Mirkovic to tie.
02:46For the first time, we are nodded.
02:50And a free throw coming up with a foul called on the Hawkeyes inside.
02:55He's got a tough start offensively.
02:58One for six in the first half.
02:59Did have seven rebounds.
03:01Three of them on the offensive glass.
03:04And he is a strong guy to deal with down there with a much smaller Iowa team.
03:09And I think just a great sequence coach.
03:11He guards Tavion Banks.
03:12Forces the missed shot on one end.
03:14And then on the offensive end.
03:16You've got big to big.
03:17Ivisich over to Mirkovic.
03:19That connection effective.
03:22Manuel picked up his second personal foul for Iowa.
03:26And it's the first lead of the game for Illinois.
03:31Oh, look at that.
03:32Right off the bat.
03:35And Kyle Boswell needs to be careful here.
03:40You had Michael Irving kind of staring him down.
03:43Boswell really emphatic there.
03:45Bennett Sturge, you've got to be stronger than that.
03:47That's not a foul.
03:49That is not a foul.
03:51That's a tough call.
03:51Not the way they've called this game tonight.
03:53They've let guys body people up.
03:55That is a terrible call by the official.
03:58It's the second foul on Kylan Boswell.
04:03I mean, if you're going to call that, then call it every time somebody bodies up tonight.
04:08Because I've seen it on every possession.
04:14And Sturtz.
04:16Game high 15.
04:24There's a foul on Wagler.
04:31It's his second.
04:34And the two guards who came in talking about.
04:37Well, the Stars have come to play.
04:39Keaton Wagler a bit of a tough start early on.
04:41But he got it going as the half went.
04:43And Bennett Sturtz having his most efficient NCAA tournament game so far in this thing.
04:50Illinois always in that 2-3 zone on baseline out of bounds.
04:57You're going to stay matched up here to Sturtz.
04:59You've got to get out.
05:00You don't want to be soft on those switches.
05:02Koch.
05:043 to fire.
05:06They've got to let it go here.
05:08Banks explodes with a shot.
05:12He doesn't shoot a lot of them.
05:14But he does shoot a good percentage.
05:16And that's one of those where you've got to put it up.
05:18Banks on the season 45%.
05:21What a time for him to knock one down here.
05:23Yeah, that was a desperation one.
05:25And that was great defense by Illinois.
05:29There goes a foul on the drive by Mirkovich.
05:32I mean, Illinois was great.
05:33They stayed home on all the shooters and made them take this.
05:37If you're Brad Underwood, you'll live with that.
05:38But that's what this is going to take, Coach.
05:40With the rebounding advantage that Illinois has and the turnovers right now being a wash.
05:46You have to think Iowa made 13 threes against Nebraska.
05:49They've got to approach that number here tonight.
05:51I think so too.
05:52And they're going to have to keep limiting the threes by Illinois.
05:56What a rebound by Mannyau.
05:58That was big boy basketball right there.
06:00Hawks are running.
06:02It's Sturks on top.
06:04And Boswell is right there to meet him.
06:08A screen.
06:10A drive.
06:11A Banks feed.
06:13Mannyau.
06:15I like it.
06:16They've made the adjustment.
06:17They're not pulling off the perimeter guys to take those roll guys.
06:21Nice pass.
06:22Shot is off.
06:24Rebound Davis.
06:26The Illini the other way.
06:27Nice defensive adjustment at the half by Illinois.
06:30Two one balls ball.
06:31You want to go!
06:34He go!
06:35One ballúlt tall!
06:37Wild one ball!
06:39Wind off the screen.
06:39There's the defensive switch.
06:42Fosrow on top.
06:43Shot clock single digits.
06:46Ivisic.
06:46Three.
06:47Yeah!
06:51Томаслав Ивасич, 6 из его последние 29 от 3.
06:55Возвращаясь в пик-н-поп, это будет быть там.
06:58Это монстр шуток от Томаслав Ивасич.
07:01Томаслав Ивасич просто поднялся.
07:03Ивасич просто поднялся.
07:03Вот сейчас, АТНТ-Коннектед Кэм.
07:09И вот эти бигсы, эти respective teams,
07:11они флиппы на полоскреене.
07:13И вы получите на пик-н-поп, 2 на пол.
07:16Томаслав Ивасич, а шутки сломок
07:18from the perimeter,
07:19но не сопротивляет.
07:23Ночелин-будно, Тейт Садж
07:25просто сахачадз это только который зарплатит наStephan.
07:34Иоанна стоишь 1-4했
07:35beginnen с 2-0. Томаслав
07:38Ивасич, 3. Играет музыка,
07:403. Играет музыка,
07:444.
07:448-for-16 from 3 in Iowa.
07:47We said it at the beginning of the game.
07:49That's how they win.
07:50You can't get a lot inside
07:52against this Illinois defense.
07:54You're going to have to make threes.
07:57Bogler will spin and lean
07:58and scoop and score!
08:01What a finish!
08:03What a shot!
08:04What a finish.
08:06And he's been struggling to finish.
08:08You mentioned it in the first half.
08:10He came in 7-for-20 on twos.
08:13This is a heck of a finish here.
08:15Right-to-left spin.
08:17Koch just reaches out,
08:19gets a piece of the arm.
08:20Beautiful shot.
08:22Concentration.
08:22Wow!
08:23And going 1-2 out of the spin there.
08:26The footwork creates more space,
08:28and that finish with the left
08:29is just ridiculous.
08:31Here's the two-time Kansas High School
08:33player of the year,
08:34two-time state champion.
08:37Lightly recruited.
08:38But boy, are they glad
08:39they got him in Champaign.
08:40You are kidding me.
08:43There's Marmonette, Jennifer and Logan,
08:46watching, and so proud of their son, Keaton.
08:49I mean, this was a guy
08:50that thought he might have the red shirt,
08:52and now he's going to go
08:53in the top half of the lottery
08:54in the NBA draft.
08:55And it's just amazing.
08:57Howard!
08:58That slipped out of his hands going out.
08:59We didn't want to shoot that.
09:01He did want to shoot it.
09:03It starts with the burst.
09:06Till set.
09:07Off-balance, footwork was tangled up.
09:10Mirkovic, the rebound.
09:11Stoyakovic working hard to chase him on that.
09:14That's what you have to keep doing.
09:16Stoyakovic, no!
09:17Rebound, man in!
09:18I think Koch got a piece of that
09:20as he tried to scoop that up with the right.
09:23It's Howard.
09:24And Koch wide open in the corner
09:26and missed it.
09:27Sturtz, easy stroke,
09:29but can't get it to drop,
09:30and Wackler is there.
09:32Well, you can just feel
09:34how big each possession is here.
09:36The pressure building
09:37so much on the line.
09:41On the floor,
09:43Alder grappling
09:46with the tie-up.
09:51It's going to be Illinois' ball.
09:53We're at the clock at 15.01.
09:55It is getting intense.
09:58There is Howard all over him here.
10:01So much on the line.
10:03Both teams leaving it on the floor.
10:05A trip to the Final Four at stake.
10:07We'll see.
10:0815 to go.
10:10I'm Nate Burleson, back in New York,
10:12and now this is March Madness
10:13presented by Intuit TurboTax.
10:15Brayden Smith has been dropping dimes
10:17all turning.
10:18And Co-op Pete and the Wildcats
10:19understand what's at stake.
10:21A trip to the Final Four on the line.
10:23Back to the crew in San Jose.
10:26All right, that Wildcat team.
10:28Boy, are they red hot now.
10:30With 35 wins.
10:32They finish in the AP Top 20
10:35at number two.
10:35It'll be a beauty,
10:36and it's coming up next here on TV.
10:38Ask the Boilermakers
10:39and the Wildcats from San Jose.
10:42It's Wogler on top for Illinois.
10:45One-point lead, three-point shot.
10:48And the rebound's to Jakovic.
10:49Up and off.
10:51And they fight for it.
10:52It's off of Iowa.
10:53It's Illinois' ball.
10:55It's not just the bigs.
10:56You mentioned that, Coach.
10:57It's the wings.
10:58It's the guards.
10:59Everybody is flying in there.
11:01And Illinois just continues to flex their rebounding muscles.
11:04Well, they've had seven more field goal attempts
11:07and nine more free-throw attempts.
11:09And that is offsetting how much better Iowa has shot the ball
11:14from the floor and from the three-point line.
11:16Davion Banks really battled Mirkovic there.
11:20He couldn't move him and gain space.
11:22Stujakovic tries to grind.
11:23Pit-pocketed on the play by Howard.
11:25Two-on-one.
11:26To the hole.
11:27No foul.
11:34Howard who plays for 44-year-old first-year head coach Ben McCollum
11:38who began at Northwest Missouri State
11:42a four-time national D2 champion.
11:44But he said his trajectory changed so much after a loss
11:48back at St. Missouri State.
11:50At Missouri State, he said that after this loss,
11:53he called his mom on the bench going back to campus.
11:56And she said, well, what's wrong?
11:58And he said, you know, I'm not connecting with my players.
12:01And she said, speak to me like you talk to your players.
12:03She goes, well, I've got the problem.
12:04After listening to that, he said, you're not positive enough.
12:06And it changed everything he's done
12:08and the trajectory of his coaching.
12:10And it lingers now into this first year at Iowa.
12:13Well, it's pretty incredible to see this team
12:16on the verge of a Final Four.
12:17And you look around, and the only player
12:19with a high school high major offer is Cooper Cox.
12:22That is a crazy, crazy thought.
12:24Cox picks up the foul on the maneuver by Ivisich.
12:29And it is Cox's second headed to Indianapolis.
12:33Download the men's Final Four event app
12:35presented by AT&T to help you plan, enjoy,
12:40and also take part in all the excitement of the weekend.
12:42And it will be great.
12:43Available on iOS or Android.
12:48Ivisich.
12:50Tomislav.
12:51Chipping, grinding, chiseling, shooting, rebounding storm.
12:55Well, there we go again.
12:57Another one.
12:57From 13 offensive rebounds to 10 defensive rebounds
13:01by Iowa.
13:02I love the plan of playing in one-on-one.
13:05They're taking away Illinois' threes,
13:08which is huge to beating them.
13:10So I like the game plan,
13:12but they just haven't been able to rebound the ball.
13:17Sturge to Banks.
13:19The pump fake.
13:20A lining from three.
13:22It's out of bounds.
13:27This was so well done from Tomislav Ivisich
13:30because that dig is coming down.
13:32There's guys on the baseline.
13:34It's a swarm around him.
13:35Doesn't get the first to go,
13:37but Ivisich stays with it and gets that put back.
13:41Now they're going to bring in his brother,
13:44Zvonimir,
13:45who will take the place of his brother, Tomislav.
13:50Zvonimir, number 44,
13:51is four minutes older than his brother, Tomislav.
13:54You can tell.
13:55You can?
13:56Yes, you can tell.
13:57There's no question.
13:58What's the giveaway?
13:59Who the older brother is.
14:00It's just, you know,
14:01the way they carry themselves.
14:02He's obviously the more mature one.
14:04I can tell.
14:07You're older than Jeff, am I right?
14:08Oh, yeah.
14:10By a lot, though.
14:11Not by four minutes.
14:12Great.
14:14Sturge.
14:16Stuck on 15.
14:17Pots three.
14:18Wow.
14:21You get the ball screen,
14:23you get Koch away.
14:25And just like that in this second half,
14:28he's knocked down two triples in a row.
14:33Well, there's the big advantage for them.
14:35They are plus 21 from behind the arc.
14:38Wadler ramming his way,
14:40feeding on the play.
14:40Mirkovich will finish it off.
14:42And it's amazing because it's usually Illinois outscoring people from beyond the arc.
14:48But Iowa staying home,
14:51not giving up threes,
14:53and they thought by not rotating they'd be able to have a better chance on the glass.
14:56That has not materialized.
14:59Sturge leans,
15:00fouls to Yankovic.
15:03I don't know about that call.
15:04I was going to say that.
15:05That looked like a bailout.
15:07Totally a bailout.
15:08I think he was just stumbling.
15:11Sturgeokovic working hard, staying in the play.
15:14Yeah, there's no foul there.
15:15If there is, it's on Sturge.
15:18And what a cut here from Mirkovich.
15:20So all the eyes are on Keaton Wadler driving down that left lane line.
15:24And that's your power forward,
15:26cutting back door and getting an easy basket.
15:28Sturge at the line.
15:29He is the first Hawkeye in 26 years
15:33to lead Iowa in scoring, assists, and steals.
15:40Roger and Renee Sturge watching.
15:43He had no big-time college offers coming out of Liberty High School.
15:48Well, I'm just going to,
15:49one thing I know from that,
15:51he and his son go to the same barber.
15:56It's a very easy cut.
15:57It works.
15:58Same style.
15:59Same style.
16:08Boswell, Wadler, Davis,
16:13held foul inside an Iowa take-sage.
16:16That's a good call,
16:17but it seems to me
16:18the referees must have seen something at halftime
16:21because they have tightened up
16:23the way they have called this game
16:24in the second half.
16:26I like the call there from Illinois.
16:28Get a ball reversal,
16:29rip Mirkovich in there,
16:31and let him use his size.
16:38Mirkovich with a couple double-doubles in this tournament.
16:41He's been terrific.
16:43Averaging almost 17-11 in the tournament.
16:46Wadler, single digits with a spin,
16:49the backpedal lets it fly.
16:55You're going to be seeing that one go viral on social media.
16:59We've had nine lead changes in the last six minutes.
17:03The winner goes to the final four.
17:05Iowa with it.
17:07Under 12 to go.
17:09Wadler now has 17 to match.
17:12Sturks is 17.
17:13Sturks.
17:16He's taking some shots
17:18where his feet aren't even close
17:20to being set or normal,
17:22and somehow he gets that one to fall.
17:29We're seeing some guys make
17:31some great individual offensive plays
17:34against pretty darn good defense.
17:36Wadler with 17.
17:39Hits the deck as he let it go.
17:41They're going to call a foul,
17:43but that's going to take a bucket off the board.
17:46Yeah, that is a layup for Iowa.
17:53Watch it again.
17:58Long rebound, and you've got the trip.
18:01Would have been a run out instead of a foul,
18:02and then Keaton Wadler, get your game on.
18:05He is raising up.
18:06He is cashing out.
18:17He is a foul.
18:18After review, the call on the floor
18:19will remain a common foul.
18:22It would be Iowa ball on the side
18:24with 30 on the shot clock.
18:26Wadler number three.
18:29They were looking at his leg kicks up
18:32because Wadler falls down,
18:33and you could make the case
18:35that there was some contact
18:36as Wadler let that thing go,
18:38but that ends up being a break
18:40for Illinois with the play on
18:41because it would have been
18:42a transition basket for Iowa, Coach.
18:45Absolutely.
18:45They did get a break there.
18:47He got fouled, though.
18:48They didn't give him room on the landing.
18:51Sturgeon, Boswell, screen with a switch.
18:54Now back to Boswell's D.
19:01Iowa 4-10 the second half.
19:03It's a three from the corner.
19:05Rift and miss right there by Howard,
19:07picked up by the Illini.
19:09Tied at 46, fifth tie of the game.
19:11Yeah, Howard 28% from three,
19:14so Illinois is going to play off him,
19:15stop the ball,
19:16and dare him to make perimeter shots.
19:18Illinois in the second half,
19:207-13 from the floor.
19:22Mirkovich.
19:25And here is Wadler.
19:28Shot clock is down to five.
19:31Kylan Boswell, look away.
19:33Three.
19:34Ivacic, rebound, starts.
19:37Boswell's got to shoot that,
19:38and that's a hand grenade thrown to Ivacic there.
19:41You're not putting your big fella in a great spot.
19:43No, and especially not Zvonimir.
19:44He's not the shooter that his brother is.
19:51I think Sturt's got to shoot that first.
19:53Koch with a three.
19:55Mirkovich with a rebound.
19:56He's got ten.
19:57He's got ten rebounds.
19:58You know what, guys, though?
19:59We had 14 turnovers combined in the first half.
20:02We've had one in the second half here in ten minutes.
20:06These teams know what's at stake,
20:09and they've been a lot more solid.
20:11Thrusting down the lane is the freshman, Keaton Wadler.
20:15He's got 19 points.
20:18Well, you're seeing why people are so high on him.
20:21No doubt.
20:22How about the inverted pick and roll?
20:24Mirkovich, he's coming off that Wadler's setting,
20:26and then he's playing off a closeout.
20:32I think Sturt's has got to come off these screens ready to shoot the ball.
20:37I don't mean...
20:38He lets it rip from three.
20:41Wow.
20:42That's it for three.
20:48Let's just get the other eight guys out of here
20:50and let those two guys go one-on-one,
20:52because they are putting on a show.
20:56Here's Mirkovich.
20:58Back outside to Wadler.
21:00Thought three.
21:01He'll pop the J.
21:02He lost the ball, but Mirkovich again on the glass.
21:06Across the lane.
21:08Tumbles down.
21:09Foul called.
21:10It's on Iowa.
21:15This inverted pick and roll,
21:16you're going to get a pick and pop here for Wadler,
21:19and then he is just going to play.
21:21You're just not used to it.
21:22Guards aren't used to guarding the guy setting it.
21:24Bigs aren't used to guarding the guy handling it.
21:27And Bennett Sturt's coach, this is just the varsity.
21:30Wow.
21:31What a show he's put on tonight.
21:35But they just cannot keep Illinois off the boards.
21:45They have nine more field goal attempts and five more free-throw attempts.
21:50And yet, Iowa's up one because they've shot the ball so much better.
21:56Kamasov, Ivisich is in.
21:58Mirkovich is on top.
21:59Shot clock at seven.
22:01Battling the defense there.
22:03Banks three.
22:04No.
22:05Mirkovich with another offensive rebound.
22:07Waylaid.
22:08Bushrapped.
22:09Down.
22:09Foul.
22:12Mirkovich hasn't scored much, but my gosh, is he cleaning up on the glass.
22:19I don't think that, okay, he might have gotten contact afterwards, but he lost the ball before
22:25there was any contact.
22:27Tate Zane just picked up his fourth foul for the Hawkins.
22:31And Illinois is at the line.
22:33With Mirkovich.
22:36Great effort by Mirkovich.
22:38He couldn't quite get a handle on it.
22:41Tavion Banks, when he's guarded Mirkovich, he's been able to stand him up.
22:45He's strong enough to guard him, but keeping him off the glass has been an entirely different challenge.
22:51The freshman from Montenegro.
22:54Played in the Adriatic League.
22:55One and one.
22:57Eight and a half to go.
22:58He's a 78% free-throw shooter.
23:03David Mirkovich.
23:08And the rebound by Tavion Banks.
23:11He rebounded that down to the floor.
23:13That was textbook blocking out there.
23:15I would advise against that going forward, though.
23:19Sturz.
23:20Manial.
23:21Trying to plow.
23:26Combs on top.
23:27Banks the screen.
23:28Manial a screen.
23:30And Sturz.
23:31Curling.
23:32Feeding.
23:33Inside.
23:34Banks.
23:35A lot of congestion.
23:36It's a tie-up.
23:37It will be on.
23:38It was ball.
23:40How good was the low man help right there, coach?
23:42That was terrific help side defense.
23:45It sure was.
23:46Mirkovich coming over.
23:47I tell you what, Mirkovich has done a lot of good things in this game.
23:51Hasn't shot the ball well.
23:52Hasn't scored the ball much.
23:54But he's done a lot on the defensive end and the boards.
23:58Three seconds.
24:00Two seconds.
24:01Koch has to jack one up.
24:03And it will go out of bounds.
24:05And it's a shot clock violation.
24:08Shohei Otani and Japan's biggest MLB stars return home to play in front of their fans for the first time.
24:16Homecoming, the Tokyo series.
24:18Now streaming on the CNN app.
24:22That's the first turnover by Iowa this half.
24:25Yeah, they've each got one after having seven each in the first half.
24:30I'm sure it was a big part of both halftime talks.
24:32And, coach, that's a turnover where, all right, you still set your defense.
24:35You'd love to make the shot.
24:37But if you get a shot clock violation there, it's certainly not the end of the world.
24:44Vaglio.
24:45And on top, Stajacovic.
24:49They're driving to Cole.
24:51I'll tell you what, he is strong on those finishes.
24:55That was a tough shot.
24:57Well, they're just spreading the floor.
24:59It's four wide, and he's got that entire lane to work with.
25:03I'm coming to help harder and earlier if I am Iowa.
25:07Andre Stajacovic, a great player, but he's not looking to pass the ball.
25:11Illinois foul on the drive by Bennett Sturks of Iowa.
25:16Here he goes on the drive.
25:18I'd come right now even off of Sturks.
25:25Captivating performances by the freshman Illinois guard, Wagler, and Sturks of Iowa.
25:31Yeah, these guys couldn't have been much better tonight.
25:34We talked about them in the open.
25:35They're the stars.
25:37Your stars have to step up in the biggest games, and they certainly have.
25:42You're talking about two All-American players here.
25:45First team All-Big Ten that they have totally lived up to the billing.
25:50Lauren, Illinois has got a one-point lead, and Iowans hit the line.
25:54And Kevin, Stan and Robbie have been all about rebounding.
25:57He was just listening to Coach McCollum.
25:58He's beyond frustrated with it.
26:00He kept saying he understands the size of Illinois,
26:03but he says there is zero reason you can't be more physical on the glass, Kevin.
26:06Well, it's easier said than done now.
26:09I understand Coach's frustration,
26:11but Illinois has proven over the course of this season
26:14that they are just a monster on the offensive glass.
26:17Yes, that's been a big part of it.
26:20I think they've done a lot of what they wanted to do in Iowa.
26:24They've taken away the threes, which is huge.
26:27They just haven't been able to rebound them.
26:30Coach foul.
26:31Yeah, but the game's just been called totally differently in the second half.
26:35I understand the frustration of the players.
26:38I'm not saying that's not a foul, but it wasn't a foul in the first half.
26:42Well, you mentioned just the limiting of threes, Coach.
26:45Illinois on the season, 50% of their shots come from the three-point line,
26:49which is top 20 in the country.
26:51Tonight, 15 of their 45.
26:54They have limited their looks, played them one-on-one, and taken away the three.
26:58You know, they've done a fantastic job of that.
27:02Mirkovic at the line.
27:03Cooper Koch, the freshman for the Hawkeyes, picked up his third.
27:07And Ben McCollum, that's what he wanted.
27:09One of the things he talked about in practice yesterday
27:12is forcing guys inside the arc.
27:18We're talking about Illinois' side.
27:20A significant rebounding advantage, 30-16 over the Hawkeyes so far.
27:28They've got 15 offensive rebounds, Illinois.
27:32Iowa's only got 16 rebounds total.
27:37Koch and Combs.
27:43Sterks, Banks, three, Combs.
27:48Rebound, Iversich.
27:49That's great offense, though.
27:51They got the pocket pass,
27:53and then Banks made the pass to the weak side,
27:56exactly what Ben McCollum wants in his offense,
27:59and they got a great open shot.
28:01Combs just couldn't knock it down.
28:04Berkovich out, Tom.
28:07Berkovich gets a guard.
28:08He's always going to try to back you down.
28:10Iversich.
28:12He's done a great job, Coach,
28:14of relocating on the baseline.
28:16That ball's coming to the middle.
28:17He's just creeping right back towards the strong side.
28:20The Awainai has their biggest lead tonight in this Elite Eight game by three.
28:25Sterks.
28:26Koch.
28:27Sterks.
28:30Draws a crowd wherever he goes.
28:32Banks will penetrate.
28:33Bump.
28:34Grind.
28:35No.
28:36Rebound.
28:36Inside.
28:37Hummerich House.
28:38That's tough to bully David Merkovich.
28:41And when you got Tomislav Iversich over the top cleaning it up,
28:45a really nice defensive sequence there for the Awainai.
28:50Awainai's size.
28:51Sterks starting to take over this game a little bit.
28:54Iversich couching his way.
28:58And then McCollum's going to take a timeout.
29:00But if you double, you open up the threes.
29:04It's a 6-0 run by the fighting Awainai.
29:08They're up by five a couple possessions ago.
29:12Iversich inside creeping one in.
29:15And then again on the doorstep for the Deuce for Illinois.
29:21Back at the Elite Eight in Houston.
29:23Bleacher Report is your one-stop destination for March Madness.
29:27Get every moment.
29:28All tournament long with personalized updates and highlights from your favorite teams.
29:34Download the BR app.
29:35Now, Iowa has not scored from the field in over three and a half minutes.
29:40Well, how good is the spacing here by Illinois?
29:42Iowa's been taking away the threes all game long.
29:44That means it's single coverage with Fulgaris there.
29:46And Iversich takes his time.
29:48Gets to that left jump hook.
29:49Illinois would be wise to continue to feed that man on the interior.
29:53I agree.
29:53And I like what Ben McCollum has done.
29:55Having Tate Sage and Koch on the floor and Howard all.
30:01So when that ball swings, we've got shooters everywhere.
30:04It's Sage.
30:06It's Sturtz.
30:07Shot clock is at six.
30:09He'll let it.
30:10Nope.
30:11He was going to shoot.
30:12The defense there.
30:13The turnover by Iowa.
30:14That was so good by Stojakovic to just keep coming.
30:17He gets screened, but he stays in the play.
30:22Wogler up top.
30:23Sage comes out on him.
30:25He's just been great on the pursuit all night, Robbie.
30:27Not giving up on plays.
30:30Wogler's got 19.
30:33He'll plummet into the paint.
30:388-0 run by Illinois.
30:44Sturtz.
30:45Desperation now for the Hawkeyes.
30:47Mannyau.
30:53Driving inside.
30:55Foul on Ivisich as Isaiah Howard was trying to penetrate.
31:00This is a good screen here.
31:02Howard gets him.
31:03Stojakovic stays in the play.
31:05They force the turnover.
31:06And then this is the Ph.D. level stuff of just getting that bump.
31:10Knocking your primary defender back.
31:12Not overdoing it, but creating that space and getting to the floater.
31:16Lauren, Illinois has their biggest lead tonight.
31:18And Kevin, Robbie said it.
31:20Spacing is the name of the game.
31:21I was just listening to Coach Underwood.
31:23He wants Andre and Keaton downhill.
31:25He wants spacing like we just saw to open up driving lanes.
31:28And he's oddly calm, Kevin.
31:31It's Vonnevere Ivisich has checked in for his brother.
31:35For Illinois.
31:36That rolls in.
31:38Got a little surprised by that substitution.
31:41I thought they'd go right back to Tomislav in the low post again
31:45and make sure that this team can solve that.
31:49They're very small right now.
31:50They don't even have Mannyau in the game.
31:52Banks is their five.
31:55Tomislav picked up his fourth.
31:56Cox will get it.
31:57They control.
31:59Here comes Tate Sage.
32:00Right to the rack.
32:02The defense was there.
32:03Oh, what a caught.
32:04And what a sub because you get one of the elite shot blockers in the country in there.
32:09Offensive rebound.
32:10Triple drive.
32:11He's there for the contest.
32:14Mirkovic.
32:15Oh!
32:16Ivisich.
32:20Time out, Iowa.
32:23Time out, Iowa.
32:25Time out, Iowa.
32:28Time out, Iowa.
32:34Coverage of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is sponsored by Pizza Hut.
32:40Feed good times.
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32:53And by Allstate.
32:55You're in good hands.
33:03A 10-1 run by the Illini.
33:05Their defense is locked down.
33:07Iowa, one of their last eight from the field to help defense.
33:10Hummerich House coming over.
33:11Ivisich on the ball.
33:13You've got Isaiah Howard in the corner.
33:15Illinois not concerned about that.
33:17Multiple guys defending at the rim.
33:19And then this pass from Mirkovic.
33:21What a substitution.
33:23Ivisich blocks the south shot.
33:25Ivisich gets the lob.
33:26Brad Underwood pushing all the right buttons.
33:28He is.
33:28I question the substitution, which is why Brad is sitting over there getting ready to take
33:34a team maybe to the final four.
33:36Your point was fair.
33:37And I'm over here.
33:38Your point was fair in that Tomaslav you could post up.
33:40But with Van Amir, it's the rim protection.
33:42It's the lob threat at the basket.
33:45Iowa with urgency.
33:48And Howard's the guy that, like you said, they're not guarding.
33:54Sturgeon game high, 24.
33:57Sturgeon gets it in and out.
33:59It's a three.
34:01Got it.
34:01There you go.
34:02Howard.
34:03You've got to shoot those if you're going to be in there.
34:06And that's what they give you, and you're back to a five-point game.
34:13Wondler.
34:20Howard has just hit the shot.
34:21Applies the defense.
34:23Well, you notice, coming down the stretch, the ball's been in the hands of these two
34:27freshmen for Illinois all the time.
34:29Wondler.
34:30Wondler.
34:30Wondler and Mirkovic.
34:32Sturgeonjkovic across the lane.
34:42Wow.
34:42Page, he didn't do a lot of this.
34:46That is a strong fit.
34:48I mean, this guy just finishes through contact time after time after time.
34:55You're Tavion Banks there.
34:57That's kind of a KYP because he wants to drop.
35:00And he can make it three.
35:01But his greatest strength is driving it to the rim.
35:04I just think if you're Banks in that situation, you've got to play him a little bit of a short
35:09closeout.
35:09Sturgeonjkovic with 13 against Houston on Thursday in the Sweet 16.
35:17And Sturgeonjkovic tonight, 15 points.
35:20When he's in, they're plus 15.
35:22When he's out, they're minus 7.
35:24Yeah, he's been great.
35:25He's been great at this scene, too.
35:27But Iowa's going to have to hit some threes now.
35:32It's Sturgeonjkovic.
35:33Sturgeonjkovic trying to gash.
35:39That's a good act of hands.
35:41On the floor is Tinsanejkovic.
35:45As he was getting tangled up with Mirkovic.
35:49Foul.
35:51Mirkovic, number one.
35:52Hummerich House was definitely behind the play.
35:55And you've got the Illinois big still to deal with.
35:57But Mirkovic's active hands, just shadowing that ball.
36:00He ended up committing a foul.
36:02But that probably saves a look at the rim.
36:05The other night against Nebraska.
36:08Sage had 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists.
36:14And the other player that was so terrific, Fulgaris.
36:17Fulgaris had 16 points.
36:19That has not been the case here tonight.
36:20No, not at all.
36:21I think Tate Sage has played well in his limited minutes.
36:24He's in foul trouble.
36:25He has 4.
36:26Fulgaris has given him nothing tonight.
36:29When Fulgaris, the first, you know, 3 games was just unbelievable.
36:34Yeah, one of the stars of this tournament.
36:37Still a lot of time, though, in a six-point game.
36:40Illinois has made six consecutive shots in the clutch.
36:45Under five in close games.
36:49Fulgaris, what a luxury to have a big guy like Mirkovic that you can give the ball to against pressure.
36:55Guards can really ball pressure.
36:57I don't know how many bigs are going to pressure a guy like Mirkovic.
37:00Mirkovic.
37:02Hummerkous.
37:043.
37:04No.
37:05Rebound.
37:06Sage fights.
37:07Stiakovic has.
37:09Kicks it out.
37:09Mirkovic triple.
37:11No.
37:12Rebound, Manuel.
37:15Here comes Sturks.
37:17Trying to barrel into the paint.
37:20Sage.
37:22Great rotation.
37:24Great awareness there.
37:26Or Sage had an open three.
37:29Three.
37:30Sturks.
37:31Rebound.
37:32Sage.
37:33No foul.
37:34I'll tell you, Tate Sage is a freshman that has really impressed me here.
37:40He's a very good shooter, but he's not just a shooter.
37:44Excellent offensive rebounder.
37:46Ben McCollum calls him an elite cutter.
37:50I like what this guy brings.
37:52Tomaslav Ivozic just fouled out of the game.
37:55Fifth right there.
37:57They're going to bring in a guy who looks a lot like him.
38:01But plays very differently.
38:05And I think in some ways down the stretch here,
38:08Zvonimir might be the guy they need.
38:11Protect the rim at the defensive end.
38:13And as a kick and roll roller, he can suck the defense in.
38:17Or they have the lob to him.
38:19The brothers not checking in.
38:20Yeah, they're going small.
38:21Well, small on the offensive end for right now.
38:24Right.
38:24We'll see him go some offense, defense.
38:27Jade Sage at the line.
38:29Freshman Weatherford, Oklahoma.
38:31Two and two from the strike.
38:34He's going to have a chance to be a great player going forward.
38:37I absolutely agree with you, Robbie.
38:39I've been so impressed with this guy.
38:44Hawkeye free throws tonight.
38:4611 to 13.
38:47Hawaii 9, 12 to 15.
38:53Iowa has made 11 threes, Illinois 3.
39:00And Illinois, a team who averages 11 makes a game.
39:04Yep.
39:04Robbie said earlier they'd need to be around the 13 they hit against Nebraska.
39:08And I think that's still true.
39:10They're going to probably need to make a couple more to win this game.
39:16Wadler, catching the defense inside Stojakovic.
39:20But what a look.
39:21Great play by Keaton Wadler.
39:23And there's nobody finishes better than Andre Stojakovic.
39:28How good have these Illinois frontcourt players been at maneuvering on that baseline?
39:32Sturge flying for two.
39:34Manuel on the doorstep.
39:35Rebound is inhaled by Stojakovic.
39:38And Stojakovic just one of the key guys in this game.
39:42And Mannyau just kind of flipped that up there.
39:45You think about, there's no, none of the Obisic brothers are out there.
39:48He could have taken a little more time and gone up and finished.
39:51There's a foul.
39:52Goes on Koch.
39:55He's got four.
39:58Look at Stojakovic just maneuvering here.
40:01He sees his man.
40:02He's creeping in for help.
40:03He is backcutting.
40:05It's a beeline to the rim.
40:07Wadler drawing so much attention.
40:08And Stojakovic finishing another one at the rim.
40:12He's not really a spot-up guy, as you've said, Robbie.
40:15He's a guy looking to get to the basket.
40:19This will be two free throws for Wadler.
40:21He's got 21 points.
40:23Three and three from the strike.
40:31Wadler and Duke's Cameron Boozer, the only freshman in college basketball, averaging at least 17, four rebounds, and four assists.
40:41Pretty good company.
40:42And a freshman class that, in the landscape of college basketball, has been incredible.
40:48Yes, they have.
40:49And look, some of the other ones we've seen here.
40:53Mirkovic, a freshman.
40:55Tate Sage, a freshman.
40:57Cooper Koch, a redshirt freshman.
40:59There are a lot of freshmen just in this game.
41:07Timeout with 1.12 to go.
41:16The Illini in the Hawkeyes.
41:19Conference foes and foes in the Elite Eight.
41:25Back in Houston, a trip to the Final Four.
41:28It's Tate.
41:29Illinois has not been to the Final Four in 21 years.
41:33Iowa has not been to the Final Four in 46 years.
41:40Iowa let it 51-50.
41:43And since that lead, they're one of nine from the floor.
41:47And for Brad Underwood, you think about how close they were a couple years ago, that Elite Eight game.
41:53They're knocking on the door.
41:54He's made the tournament.
41:56UConn just absolutely obliterated them in the Elite Eight.
41:59But they're a minute 12 from punching their ticket.
42:03Flashman Kochel inbound.
42:05They've stayed small here, Illinois, because they've got to get out on all the three-point shooters.
42:09You're not really worried as much about a two.
42:12You've got to stay home on the three-point shooters.
42:15Tate Sage, three.
42:16Short.
42:17Loose.
42:18And crapped inside by Hummerichaus.
42:21Illinois totally in control now.
42:24Wagler.
42:28Boswell splits in his final.
42:39Well, Sage got the shot, but it wasn't an easy one.
42:43He had to shot fake, escape dribble to his right, and shoot it quickly because Illinois gets back in the
42:50play.
42:52Oswell at the line for the first time tonight, 6 of 10.
42:54The other night he said, I'm so mad at myself at the free-throw line in that game against Houston.
42:58I'm going to take a thousand attempts, and I think we see the residuals right there.
43:04I will say that from seeing Illinois in January and February and some of their defensive issues they had at
43:10that time,
43:11they have just, they've come together.
43:13The focus defensively has been a game changer, and you mix an elite offense with a defense that's gotten it
43:19done,
43:19and you can spell out final four.
43:22And so similar to the game the other night in that they only had 24 points at halftime the other
43:29night,
43:29and then over 40, and they've got 41 in the second half tonight.
43:41And the Illinois faithful can since the final four, Brad Underwood,
43:48who has had a magnificent career, will be going to his first final four.
43:54Very, very deserving.
43:57Dodgers picked up his fifth for Iowa.
43:59He is gone.
44:01And Stojakovic will be at the free-throw line for the Illini.
44:07He has had a monster two-way performance.
44:11Efficient from the field, 7 of 9, 17 points,
44:15but the defensive effort and just the total exertion that he's had to put out there with Bennett Sturtz,
44:21and it has been impressive to watch.
44:22And three offensive rebounds, five total.
44:25Yeah, he's, you could make a case.
44:27I mean, it'd be tough if you're player of the game between Ian Wagler and maybe even Mirkovich.
44:32It would be hard to choose it.
44:34They've gotten some great efforts from several people.
44:42Illinois, the winningest Big Ten program the last seven seasons.
44:47They've had the most Big Ten road wins, which is really saying something.
44:53But the program crafted by Brad Underwood in his ninth year has just been phenomenal.
45:00That stinks for Andrei Stojakovic.
45:01He's trying to get to 19 points here.
45:03He is, but Wagler's trying to get to 25.
45:06He's trying to get to 25.
45:07Well, he thought he got, Stojakovic thought he got fouled.
45:10He's the guy who got the rebound, but the foul was on Koch.
45:13Yes, pushing him.
45:17That was Wagler's parents.
45:24Illinois in that win over Houston on Thursday in the Sweet 16.
45:28They had two freshmen with double-doubles in the same game.
45:31That's the first time it's ever happened in tournament history.
45:34They're continuing it here tonight in the Elite Eight.
45:38It's Sturt's long-range three.
45:42It's picked up here.
45:44Grabbed by Combs.
45:45Backed the Sturt's.
45:46Another three launched.
45:48Another miss.
45:49Illinois has got it, and that's all she wrote.
45:53It's been 21 years for the Illini.
45:59But finally, the road will take them to Indianapolis.
46:05Illinois is going to the Final Four.
46:33I'll tell you what, they can beat anybody.
46:35Absolutely.
46:36They are a threat to winning.
46:38And if they're guarding like this, we know they can score.
46:41And Iowa has nothing to hang their heads about.
46:44What a season that they've had.
46:45But this Illinois team, it's the offense, it's the size, it's the physicality.
46:49They have all the tools.
46:51Now you add the defense.
46:52This is a scary team going to Indianapolis.
46:54They held Iowa to 23% in the second half, and they had 16 offensive rebounds on the game to
47:0213 defensive rebounds for Iowa.
47:06And it wouldn't feel so good if it didn't hurt so bad on the other end.
47:12The juxtaposition in the NCAA tournament.
47:14You've got the elation.
47:16You've got the tears on the other end.
47:18Bennett Sturtz, what a career he's had.
47:20What a career is right.
47:22But Illinois was just a little bit better, a little bit tougher, a heck of a game.
47:27But the fighting Illini is so deserving.
47:32Boy, has he been a huge part of the success of the Illinois basketball program.
47:41Coach, congratulations.
47:44You said if someone told you 30 years ago that you'd be going to the Final Four, you'd crawl there.
47:49Why them?
47:50This group's special.
47:53Dealt with a lot of adversity the first half.
47:56We beat a really good Iowa team.
47:58We've played great.
47:59Our resilience was unbelievable.
48:02Guys just kept throwing body blows.
48:04We just kept hanging in there.
48:06Here I am, an old Juco ball coach from Kansas,
48:09going to the Final Four with a group of guys that I love.
48:12Couldn't be more proud.
48:13What about you?
48:14It took you 26 years to get your first D1 head coaching job.
48:17You used to mock the court and set up the food and the travel.
48:21How did the journey get you to this point, coach?
48:24I got a loving wife who stayed with me.
48:27You're only as good as the people you have around you.
48:30I'm blessed at home.
48:31I've been fortunate to be around great mentors, great coaches.
48:35I just bided my time.
48:36And found a group that's magical.
48:40We're living the dream.
48:41Is this guy a silent killer or what?
48:43He's one of the best freshmen in America.
48:45He's one of the best players in America.
48:47He was awesome tonight.
48:49And I want to talk to him.
48:50Keaton, congratulations.
48:51From overlooked to a star to the Final Four.
48:55What has this journey been like for you?
48:56It's been crazy.
48:57A lot of ups and downs for sure.
48:59Just staying true to it.
49:01You know, my teammates, they trust me.
49:02The coaches, they trust me.
49:03They put the ball in my hands a lot,
49:04and I just go out there and make plays.
49:06I spoke with your dad.
49:07He said at 10 years old, you left the basketball court.
49:10You said, I hate losing.
49:11I never want to lose again.
49:12Who got you to this point, Keaton?
49:14Yeah, all the people around me.
49:16Everyone pushed me every day.
49:18You know, I'm a competitive guy.
49:19I hate losing.
49:21So my goal is to win every game.
49:22A message to your fans back home watching.
49:25Yeah, hey, shout out to Line 9 Nation.
49:27I know they're going crazy right now.
49:29Love all y'all.
49:30I have love, baby.
49:31They're going crazy, and you're going to the Final Four.
49:33Congratulations.
49:33Thank you.
49:34Kevin.
49:36It was a fun game to watch with two terrific teams
49:40from maybe the best conference in college basketball.
49:42Well, four of the Final Eight teams were from that conference.
49:46Illinois as good as any of them.
49:48And Brad Underwood so deserving.
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