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Mar 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the second half against the Oregon Ducks at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The Sweet 16 Decider: Can Illinois Keep Up With Houston’s Relentlessness?

Jackson Langendorf

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Mar 24, 2026

Illinois Fighting Illini coach Brad Underwood during the 2026 NCAA Tournament against VCU at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

Brad Underwood Hits Career Milestone, Climbs Illinois Record Books With VCU Win

Jack Ankony

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Mar 24, 2026

2026 NBA Mock Draft: Grizzlies Top-3 Pick + Ja Morant Trade Kickstarts Next Era

Ryan Kaminski

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Mar 24, 2026

Houston celebrates following the second-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between Houston Cougars and Texas A&M Aggies at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday March 21, 2026.

What to Watch For in Houston’s Sweet 16 Matchup vs Illinois

Kolton Becker

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Mar 24, 2026

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Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg dunks during the NCAA men’s tournament.

Reseeding the Sweet 16: Ranking Every Team Left in Men’s March Madness

Bryan Fischer

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Mar 23, 2026

Mar 21, 2026; Buffalo, NY, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May speaks with media after the game against the Saint Louis Billikens during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Keaton Wagler and Yaxel Lendeborg On Our Radar Among Fantasy Basketball Prospects

Chris Wassel

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Mar 23, 2026

Mar 21, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) shoots in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

2026 NBA Draft Prospects to Watch in Every NCAA Sweet 16 Matchup

Randall Sweet

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Mar 23, 2026

Houston is favored against Illinois in the Sweet 16.

Illinois vs. Houston Opening Odds, Preview for March Madness Sweet 16

Iain MacMillan

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Mar 23, 2026

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood yells down court Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round game against the Penn Quakers at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

How Illinois Can Turn a 2022 Loss to Houston Into a 2026 March Madness Win

Jackson Langendorf

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Mar 23, 2026

Mar 21, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates after a play during the second half against the VCU Rams during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

3 Illinois Players Houston’s Defense Has To Shutdown

Kolton Becker

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Mar 23, 2026

Iowa and Nebraska are part of a massive Big Ten contingent in the Sweet 16.

Breaking Down Every Conference That Sent a Team to the Men’s Sweet 16

Patrick Andres

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Mar 23, 2026

Feb 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Illinois head coach Brad Underwood yells to his players during the 1st half against UCLA at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

ESPN Predictor Names Favorite in Illinois vs Houston Sweet 16 Showdown

Jackson Langendorf

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Mar 23, 2026

Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo had 26 points, 12 rebounds and eight steals against Ohio State on Monday.

Women’s March Madness Recap: Virginia Stuns Iowa, Notre Dame Takes Down Ohio State

SI Staff

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Mar 24, 2026

Mar 21, 2026; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) reacts after a made basket during the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies in a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

First Look at Illinois Basketball's Sweet 16 Opponent: Houston Cougars

Pranav Hegde

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Mar 23, 2026

Cameron Boozer and the Duke Blue Devils will face the St. John’s Red Storm in the Sweet 16.

March Madness 2026: Game Times, TV Channels for Sweet 16 of the Men’s NCAA Tournament

Ryan Phillips

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Mar 23, 2026

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) scores near VCU Rams forward Michael Belle (8) March 21, 2026 during the first half of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament second round East Region game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

Illinois Basketball Grades: Evaluating the Illini Against VCU

Jason Langendorf

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Mar 23, 2026

Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self was unsure about his future after his team lost to St. John’s in the 2026 NCAA tournament.

Bill Self Addresses Coaching Future After Kansas Falls to St. John's

Ryan Phillips

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Mar 22, 2026

Jan 24, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) looks to pass against BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) during the first half at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Pre–Sweet 16 NBA Mock Draft: Indiana Pacers Make Aggressive Trade

Alex Golden

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Mar 22, 2026

Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson yells during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies in a second round game.

Houston vs Illinois Breakdown: 3 Ways the Cougars Can Beat the Fighting Illini

Ylver Deleon-Rios

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Mar 22, 2026

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