***Official 2026 NCAA Tournament Thread***

[ClonerJams]

I imagine Illinois NIL situation is pretty good with having all these big guys

 

[cyclonespiker33]

How is Illinois #1 in offense? They have no movement, don't run plays. Just iso.

 

[madguy30]

How is Illinois #1 in offense? They have no movement, don't run plays. Just iso.

Probably not what Underwood wants but they do have a few guys that can create and get to the hoop which helps if other things aren't going.

 

[ClonerJams]

Illinois deserves to lose for not pounding the paint every possession. Same stupid **** they were doing with Iowa until late

 

[HoopsTournament]

Schools to play in 3 Championship Games over a 4 year period

• Cincinnati - Played in 3 straight from 1961 to 1963
• Duke - Played in 3 straight from 1990 to 1992 and again in 1994
• Georgetown - Played in 3 of 4 from 1982 to 1985
• Kentucky- Played in 3 of 4 from 1948 to 1951, Played in 3 straight from 1996 to 1998
• Ohio State - Played in 3 straight from 1960 to 1962
• UCLA - Played in 7 straight from 1967 to 1973 (10 of 12 from 1964 to 1975)

If UConn wins tonight, they will join the list.

 

[madguy30]

Illinois deserves to lose for not pounding the paint every possession. Same stupid **** they were doing with Iowa until late

Probably trying to draw them out and then start into the paint later.

 

[rosshm16]

Illinois deserves to lose for not pounding the paint every possession. Same stupid **** they were doing with Iowa until late

I think they let Waggler freestyle way too much.

 

[HoopsTournament]

If UConn wins tonight and beats Michigan in the Championship, they will become the 2nd team to have 4 wins against a single conference (UCLA, Michigan State, Illinios, Michigan)

Who is the only team to ever accomplish that feat?

 

[madguy30]

If UConn wins tonight and beats Michigan in the Championship, they will become the 2nd team to have 4 wins against a single conference (UCLA, Michigan State, Illinios, Michigan)

Who is the only team to ever accomplish that feat?

This has to be a recent team right?

 

[rosshm16]

Both of these offensive metrics-darling Big 10 teams this year (Illinois, Purdue) have unimpressive offenses if you ask me.

 

[exCYtable]

No idea what Illinois is trying to do on offense. It’s pathetic honestly.

 

[HoopsTournament]

This has to be a recent team right?

Over 20 years ago.

 

[Clonehomer]

Both of these offensive metrics-darling Big 10 teams this year (Illinois, Purdue) have unimpressive offenses if you ask me.

There’s not a lot of defensive pressure in the Big10. Guards are allowed more free shooting than we see in the Big12.

 

[Clone95]

How many times is Wagler going to get away with extending his arm into the defender?

 

[CycloneErik]

This one feels like an inevitable blowout.

 

[HoopsTournament]

Big East vs Big Ten in the National Semifinals

1999 - UConn 64 Ohio State 58
2007 - Ohio State 67 Georgetown 60
2009 - Michigan State 82 UConn 73
2013 - Syracuse 61 Michigan 56

 

[cyclonespiker33]

If UConn wins tonight and beats Michigan in the Championship, they will become the 2nd team to have 4 wins against a single conference (UCLA, Michigan State, Illinios, Michigan)

Who is the only team to ever accomplish that feat?

2003 Syracuse

 

[Clonehomer]

How many times is Wagler going to get away with extending his arm into the defender?

The officiating has been interesting all around. Calling Ricky tack fouls on rebounds and then letting them play when guys get clobbered while shooting.

 

[exCYtable]

SO much standing around on offense by Illinois. There is no strategy whatsoever. How did this team make a Final 4?

 

[cyclonespiker33]

2003 Syracuse

Round of 32 - Oklahoma State
Elite Eight - Oklahoma
Final Four - Texas
Championship - Kansas