“We don’t hang banners for Final Fours at UConn. We hang National Championship banners,” Hurley said, via @MarchMadnessMBB on X. “We came here for rings, not watches. Everyone that makes the Final Four gets a beautiful watch, but only one group will get a ring. If you want to hang a banner, get locked in on Illinois.”

Hurley’s message should have the Huskies ready to run through a brick wall when the action tips off at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. UConn and Illinois are set to do battle on April 4 at 6:09 p.m. ET. The winner will then await its next opponent, as No. 1 Arizona and No. 1 Michigan will square off shortly after at the same venue.

UConn is coming off historic win over Duke

Of the remaining teams in the Final Four, UConn is the only one to have knocked off a No. 1 seed—and it did so in unforgettable fashion, as Braylon Mullins drilled a three-pointer with 0.4 seconds left in the regional final against Duke. Regardless of how the season ends for UConn, it has already produced the most iconic play of this NCAA Tournament—a moment that will transcend generations.

Still, as Hurley would agree, the Huskies aren’t in the dance for highlight-reel plays; they’re here to win it all. Now, they are only two wins away from achieving just that.

How many times has UConn won the NCAA Tournament?

UConn is eyeing its third NCAA Tournament championship in four years. Moreover, the school could capture its 7th national championship in NCAA history. UConn has been crowned in 1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023, and 2024.

Hurley’s legacy at UConn

Hurley continues to make his case as one of the best head coaches of all time in college basketball. In his eighth season as head coach in Storrs, Hurley is looking to match Jim Calhoun’s championship total at three. The difference is that Calhoun led UConn’s program for 26 seasons—Hurley could equal that haul in less than a third of the time.

“I still like (coaching), but we all have our time. Coaches need to understand when their time is. We all know this is a young man’s game. I haven’t really thought about that (retiring), at least what I can share. But I also won’t get in someone else’s way,” Sampson said in his postgame press conference.

Sampson is not directly saying he plans to step down after losing to Illinois, especially after another season that can be viewed as a success. He guided Houston back to the Sweet 16, where they were eliminated by a tough opponent that had already secured a 76-55 win over VCU Rams in the second round.

How many seasons has Sampson spent with Houston?

By the end of the 2025–26 season, Sampson will have completed 12 seasons with Houston. His first year ended with a 13-19 record, but since then, the program has not posted a losing season. He has led the Cougars to 10 postseason appearances, with the 2019–20 tournament being canceled.

Although Houston has reached the national championship game only once under Sampson, the program has consistently been close. A similar pattern followed him during his time with Oklahoma Sooners, where a title also proved elusive.

There is no clear list of candidates to replace Sampson if he were to step down, but whoever takes over would need to be prepared to sustain the level of success he has built over more than a decade.

The Houston Cougars and the Illinois Fighting Illini arrive with different pressures but the same reality: the bracket does not allow recovery. One team will continue its national title chase, while the other exits the tournament.

In a setting where scouting reports and season resumes no longer matter, execution becomes the deciding factor. The outcome reshapes the path forward in the 2026 NCAA Tournament and how both programs are evaluated.

What happens if Houston beat Illinois today?

Houston advances to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA March Madness if it defeats Illinois in the Sweet 16. The Cougars would move one step closer to a potential Final Four appearance and remain alive in the national title race.

A win would extend their tournament run under Kelvin Sampson, with the team continuing to lean on its defensive identity and control of tempo. They would head into the regional final after surviving one of the most competitive matchups.

For Illinois, a loss ends its NCAA Tournament run immediately. The Fighting Illini are eliminated in the Sweet 16, closing a season that featured a strong offensive profile but falls short of an Elite Eight return.

What happens if Houston and Illinois tie?

There are no ties in the NCAA Tournament, including the Sweet 16 of March Madness. Every game must produce a winner to determine which team advances in the bracket. If Houston and Illinois are tied at the end of regulation, the matchup goes to overtime.

Each overtime period lasts five minutes, and play continues until one team finishes ahead on the scoreboard. This format ensures a definitive result in every round of the tournament.

What happens if Houston lose to Illinois today?

Houston is eliminated from the 2026 NCAA March Madness if it loses to Illinois in the Sweet 16. The Cougars’ postseason ends immediately, cutting short their pursuit of a national championship.

A defeat would halt their momentum after reaching this stage of the bracket, despite another strong defensive season. Their tournament run would conclude in the regional semifinals and Illinois advances to the Elite Eight with the win.

[Watch South Carolina vs Illinois online for FREE in the US on Fubo]

The Citrus Bowl will feature a showdown between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Illinois Fighting Illini, with South Carolina entering as 10-point favorites. The over/under for the game is set at 49.5 points.

South Carolina are coming off a hard-fought 17-14 victory over in-state rival Clemson, while Illinois heads into the matchup on the back of a 38-28 win over Northwestern, setting up an intriguing contest between the two teams.

When will the South Carolina vs Illinois match be played?

South Carolina take on Illinois this Tuesday, December 31st, in the highly anticipated 2024 Tony the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. The game will kick off at 3:00 PM (ET).

South Carolina vs Illinois: Time by State in the USA

ET: 3:00 PM

CT: 2:00 PM

MT: 12:00 PM

PT: 12:00 PM

How to watch South Carolina vs Illinois in the USA

Catch the 2024 college football clash between South Carolina and Illinois live on Fubo (free trial). Alternatively, you can tune in to ESPN.

The Fighting Illini were the second best team in the Big Ten’s West Division with five wins and only four losses. They lost a game against the Michigan Wolverines 17-19.

The Bulldogs finished the 2022 season as the No. 22 team in the nation with a record of 8-4 overall and 4-4 within the SEC’s West Division.

Illinois vs Mississippi State: Date

Illinois and Mississippi State play for the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday, January 2 at Raymon James Stadium in Tampa. This game will be tough as both teams have good offensive lines ready to win the last game of the year.

Illinois vs Mississippi State: Time by state in the US

ET: 12:00 PM
CT: 11:00 AM
MT: 10:00 AM
PT: 9:00 AM

TV Channel in the US to watch Illinois vs Mississippi State at the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl

This game for the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl, Illinois and Mississippi State at the Raymon James Stadium in Tampa on Monday, January 2, will be broadcast in the US by FuboTV (7-day free trial) and other options to watch this game in the US is ESPN2.

Northwestern are having a terrible season with a 1-10 record. The Wildcats won the opener against Nebraska and then lost ten straight. Just amazing. In seven of their eleven games, Northwestern haven’t scored more than 14 points. That’s why they are a 13.5-point underdog even at home and are just playing for spoiler.

Illinois controlled their destiny to win the West Division and clinch a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game. Then, disaster occured. The Fighting Illini got themselves in a three-game losing streak (Michigan State, Purdue and Michigan) leaving the door open for Iowa to take the crown. Now, with a 7-4 record, they need a win and a lot of help. RB Chase Brown is the best in the nation with 1582 yards and goes for the school’s record in a single-season. Illinois lead the all-time series 56-54-5.

Northwesternvs Illinois:Date

The Illinois Fighting Illini visitthe Northwestern WildcatsinWeek 13of the2022 NCAA College Football SeasononSaturday, November 26at 3:30 PM (ET). The game will be played at Ryan Field in Evanston.

Northwesternvs Illinois: Time by State in the US

ET:3:30 PM
CT:2:30 PM
MT:1:30 PM
PT:12:30 PM

How to watch Northwesternvs Illinoisin the US

Northwesternand Illinoismeet inWeek 13ofthe2022 NCAA College Football Season. This Big Ten’s matchupwill be available to watch or live stream onfuboTV (7-day free trial)for the US.If you want to know all the channels, packages and plans offered by FuboTV, you canclick here.Another optionif you don’t want to miss the game in the United States is the Big Ten Network.

After six consecutive wins, Illinois suffered a crushing loss last week against Michigan State (23-15). However, the Fighting Illini have a 7-2 record and control their destiny to be in the Big Ten Championship Game. They’re the No. 21 ranked team in the nation, but they must beat Purdue before their toughest challenge of the season: No.3 Michigan. QB Tommy DeVito has been extraordinary for Illinois.

Purdue are a 6.5-point underdog on the road with a 5-4 record, but a win would put them just one game behind Illinois in the race for the Big Ten West Division. There’s a lot on the line for the Boilermakers considering a loss means they’ll have no chance to get to the conference Championship Game.

Illinois vs Purdue:Date

The Illinois Fighting Illiniwill hostthe Purdue BoilermakersinWeek 11of the2022 NCAA College Football Season today, November 12at 12PM (ET). The game will be played at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.

Illinois vs Purdue: Time by State in the US

ET: 12PM
CT: 11AM
MT:10AM
PT: 9AM

How to watch Illinois vs Purduein the US

Illinois face off with PurdueinWeek 11of the2022 NCAA College FootballSeason. The game will be available to watch or live stream onfuboTV (7-day free trial)for the US.If you want to know all the channels, packages and plans offered by FuboTV, you canclick here.Another optionif you don’t want to miss the game in the United States is ESPN2.

Illinois get to this clash as favorites based on their great season. So far, they stand first in the West section of the Big Ten at 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the Conference. However, what’s even more impressive is the run they are currently in. With their win over Nebraska on the road last Saturday, the Fighting Illini have now six victories in a row. Their advantage in this duel looks clearer considering they are 5-0 at home.

On the other hand, Michigan State don’t seem to find the right path this season. The curious part is that the Spartans kicked off with two consecutive triumphs, although that was not representative of what was coming. They are now at 3-5 overall and 1-4 in the Conference, largely due to a four-game losing streak that stopped their momentum. To make things worse, they weren’t able to be good out of their stadium since they are 0-3 away.

Illinois vs Michigan State: Date

Illinois will face Michigan State on Week 10 of the 2022 NCAA College Football Season today, November 5 at 3:30 PM (ET). The game will be played at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.

Illinois vs Michigan State: Time by State in the US

ET: 3:30 PM
CT: 2:30 PM
MT: 1:30 PM
PT: 12:30 PM

How to watch Illinois vs Michigan State in the US

This match between Illinois and Michigan State on Week 10 of the 2022 NCAA College Football Season will be available to watch or live stream on FuboTV (Free Trial) in the US. Big Ten Network is the other option.

If you want to know all the channels, packages and plans offered by FuboTV, you can click here.

The Cornhuskers barely won a game through the first four weeks of the 2022 season. But the Cornhuskers have won two of the last three games, last week they lost to Purdue 37-43 on the road.

The Fighting Illini are enjoying a top notch winning streak of four consecutive weeks and the best thing is that they are the leaders of the West Division within Big Ten with a record of 3-1.

Nebraska vs Illinois: Date

Nebraska and Illinois play for a Week 9 game of the 2022 NCAA Division I College Football season today, October 29 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln . The visitors know this game could be easy, but the home team doesn’t want to miss out on winning at home.

Nebraska vs Illinois: Time by state in the US

ET: 3:30 PM
CT: 2:30 PM
MT: 1:30 PM
PT: 12:30 PM

TV Channel in the US to watch Nebraska vs Illinois at the 2022 NCAA College Football Week 9

This game for the Week 9 of 2022 NCAA Division I College Football season, Nebraska and Illinois at the Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, October 29, will be broadcast in the US by FuboTV (7-day free trial) and other options to watch this game in the US is ABC

Illinois won the last three weeks against two non-conference teams and against Wisconsin 34-10 in what was their first conference win of the season. So far Fightin Illini’s record is 4-1 overall.

The Hawkeyes won a conference game during Week 4 against Rutgers 27-10 on the road, but after that victory they lost at home to a big favorite Michigan Wolverines 14-27.

Illinois vs Iowa: Date

Illinois and Iowa play for a Week 6 game of the 2022 NCAA Division I College Football season today, October 8 at University of Illinois Memorial Stadium in Champaign. The home team has a better record than the visitors, but the Hawkeyes have a dangerous offensive line.

Illinois vs Iowa: Time by state in the US

ET: 7:30 PM
CT: 6:30 PM
MT: 5:30 PM
PT: 4:30 PM

TV Channel in the US to watch Illinois vs Iowa at the 2022 NCAA College Football Week 6

This game for the Week 6 of 2022 NCAA Division I College Football season, Illinois and Iowa at the University of Illinois Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Saturday, October 8, will be broadcast in the US by FuboTV (7-day free trial) and other options to watch this game in the US is BTN

The Badgers lost another game in the 2022 season, this time during Week 4 against the Ohio State Buckeyes 21-52 on the road. So far the Badgers’ record is 2-2, their first loss of the season coming against Washington State.

Illinois have a two-week winning streak against Virginia and against a top FCS team Chattanooga. That game against the Mocs was the most recent victory for Illinois by 31-0.

Wisconsin vs Illinois: Date

Wisconsin and Illinois play for a Week 5 game of the 2022 NCAA Division I College Football season today, October 1 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. The home team has two losses in the current season, while the visitors will play their first on the road game.

Wisconsin vs Illinois: Time by state in the US

ET: 12:00 PM
CT: 11:00 AM
MT: 10:00 AM
PT: 9:00 AM

TV Channel in the US to watch Wisconsin vs Illinois at the 2022 NCAA College Football Week 5

This game for the Week 5 of 2022 NCAA Division I College Football season, Wisconsin and Illinois at the Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Saturday, October 1, will be broadcast in the US by FuboTV (7-day free trial) an other options to watch this game in the US is BTN