Illinois beat Big Ten rival Iowa in Elite 8 to move on to the Final Four, where the Illini will play the winner of the Duke-UConn game on April 4.

Just when still-walking-on-air Illini fans were sure the team’s NCAA Tournament semifinal opponent would be Duke, UConn staged an Elite Eight comeback that belongs on the short list of the greatest in history.

Illinois and Iowa traded leads 13 times, but the Fighting Illini pulled through late with a 71-59 win to advance to the Final Four:

Freshman Keaton Wagler scored 25 points and Illinois ended Iowa’s underdog March Madness run by dominating in the frontcourt, beating the Hawkeyes 71-59 to advance to the Final Four for the first time

You could feel the frenzy Saturday night as fans packed bars and restaurants across the state to cheer on the Fighting Illini on their way to the Final Four for the first time in 21 years.

It's Iowa men's basketball vs Illinois in the Elite 8 of the March Madness bracket. Follow along for live score updates and highlights from Houston.

Illinois rolled past Iowa in Saturday's Elite Eight in the South Regional, punching the Fighting Illini's first Final Four ticket since 2005 despite a buzzer delay.

Freshman Keaton Wagler scored 25 points and Illinois ended Iowa’s underdog March Madness run by dominating in the frontcourt, beating the Hawkeyes, 71-59, on Saturday to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2005.