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Good morning, Chicago. The Illinois fans lingered in the stands long after the 71-59 Elite Eight win over Iowa on Saturday night at the Toyota Center, watching the small moments that have been years in the making. The trophy presentation and the naming of Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler, who scored 25 points, as the South Region MVP came first. Then there was the net cutting. Brad Underwood, in his ninth year as Illinois coach, went after all of his players, putting the net around his neck and raising both arms, scissors still in hand, to the crowd. Illinois coach Brad Underwood hoists the trophy with his team after defeating Iowa in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on March 28, 2026, in Houston. (Alex Slitz/Getty) Afterward, the Illini wandered around in the orange and blue confetti scattered on the court. They hugged family. They posed for photos with copies of the Daily Illini that shouted “Final Four” in giant orange letters. Junior forward Tomislav Ivišić, a Croatian flag draped around his back, grabbed the arena microphone. Ivišić, often more reserved than some of his animated teammates, didn’t know what else to say, so he started the I-L-L chant with the crowd. “I thought, ‘Let’s try it. It’s my time,’” he said. After 21 years, it’s the Illini’s time again. Today’s eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History | 
