Chambana Sun

The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team is set to face the Iowa State Cyclones in the NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinal on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The game will take place at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, with a scheduled tip-off at 9:09 p.m. CT (10:09 p.m. ET). Fans can watch the game on TBS/TruTV or listen via the Busey Bank Illini Sports Network.

Illinois enters this matchup as a No. 3 seed, boasting a season record of 28-8 overall and 14-6 in conference play. The team has secured victories over Morehead State and Duquesne in the first two rounds of the tournament.

Head Coach Brad Underwood leads Illinois into its first Sweet 16 appearance since their run to the national title game in 2005. "Underwood has now led Illinois to the Sweet 16 for the first time since the team's run to the 2005 Final Four," according to official sources.

Illinois holds an all-time series lead against Iowa State with an 11-3 record but lost their last encounter in November 2018 during a tournament held in Maui, Hawaii.

This year's appearance marks Illinois' fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament and its longest streak since participating eight years consecutively from 2000 through 2007. The program's history includes five appearances in the NCAA Final Four and being runners-up in 2005.

The Fighting Illini have achieved notable success under Coach Underwood's tenure, including three Big Ten Championships over four years and consistent top-five finishes within their conference. "Big Ten's winningest team in league play over last five seasons (.690)," notes indicate about their performance.

As they prepare for Thursday's challenge against Iowa State, Illinois aims to extend its successful postseason run further into March Madness.