NCAAB · Final

Illinois Defeats Iowa 71-59 in NCAAB Clash

Saturday, March 28, 2026, 6:09 PM ET · Toyota Center (Houston)

Illinois Fighting Illini 71, Iowa Hawkeyes 59, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Iowa Hawkeyes vs Illinois Fighting Illini?

Illinois Fighting Illini beat Iowa Hawkeyes 71-59 at Toyota Center (Houston) on March 28, 2026.

Who was favored in Iowa Hawkeyes vs Illinois Fighting Illini?

Illinois Fighting Illini were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -340 (about 77% implied). The favorite won.

In an intense matchup at the Toyota Center in Houston, the Illinois Fighting Illini secured a 71-59 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes. This win marks the continuation of Illinois's strong performance against Iowa, having now won all three meetings this season. The Fighting Illini's home record stands at 28-8, while Iowa concludes its season with a record of 24-13.

Illinois has had a mixed bag in its recent form, going 5-5 in its last ten games. They are currently on a one-game losing streak, having lost to the Wisconsin Badgers 88-91 in their previous outing. Over these last ten games, Illinois has averaged 83.8 points scored per game while allowing 73.3 points. Their scoring has been particularly strong at home, where they averaged 82.0 points in their last five games. However, their recent home record shows a balance of 3-3.

Iowa, on the other hand, has struggled in its recent matches, posting a record of 3-7 in the last ten games. They are also on a one-game losing streak, having lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes 69-72. The Hawkeyes have averaged 68.5 points scored and allowed 71.0 points during this stretch. Notably, Iowa has struggled on the road, with a 0-5 record in their last five away games.

In terms of head-to-head meetings, Illinois has dominated Iowa this season, winning all three encounters. Their most recent matchup occurred on January 11, 2026, where Illinois triumphed 75-69. Earlier in the season, they also defeated Iowa 106-94 and 81-61 in two other meetings.

Injury reports did not indicate any significant absences affecting either team for this game, allowing both squads to field their best players. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, set the spread at Illinois -6.5, with a total of 138.5 points for the game. The money line favored Illinois at -340, while Iowa was priced at +270.

Game conditions were optimal for basketball, with no adverse weather factors impacting the indoor venue. As the game unfolded, viewers witnessed a series of key scoring plays that defined the outcome. Notably, Keaton Wagler contributed significantly to Illinois's late-game scoring, making crucial free throws that helped seal the victory.

Overall, this game showcased Illinois's ability to maintain control over Iowa, continuing their successful streak against them this season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	ILL -6.5	138.5 o -112 / u -108	Iowa Hawkeyes +270 · Illinois Fighting Illini -340

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsKeaton Wagler25Illinois Fighting Illini
AssistsKeaton Wagler3Illinois Fighting Illini
ReboundsDavid Mirkovic12Illinois Fighting Illini
PointsBennett Stirtz24Iowa Hawkeyes
AssistsBennett Stirtz3Iowa Hawkeyes
ReboundsCam Manyawu5Iowa Hawkeyes

Recent form

Illinois Fighting Illini

Last 10: 5-5Streak L183.8 scored · 73.3 allowed per game3-3 at home

L88-91vs Wisconsin BadgersMar 13
W78-72at Maryland TerrapinsMar 8
W80-54vs Oregon DucksMar 4
L70-84vs Michigan WolverinesFeb 28
L94-95at UCLA BruinsFeb 22
W101-65at USC TrojansFeb 19
W71-51vs Indiana HoosiersFeb 15
L90-92vs Wisconsin BadgersFeb 11
L82-85at Michigan State SpartansFeb 8
W84-44vs Northwestern WildcatsFeb 5

Iowa Hawkeyes

Last 10: 3-7Streak L168.5 scored · 71 allowed per game0-5 away

L69-72at Ohio State BuckeyesMar 12
W75-64vs Maryland TerrapinsMar 11
L75-84at Nebraska CornhuskersMar 8
L68-71vs Michigan WolverinesMar 6
L69-71at Penn State Nittany LionsFeb 28
W74-57vs Ohio State BuckeyesFeb 26
L71-84at Wisconsin BadgersFeb 22
W57-52vs Nebraska CornhuskersFeb 18
L57-78vs Purdue BoilermakersFeb 14
L70-77at Maryland TerrapinsFeb 11

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Michigan	37-3	-	19-1
Nebraska	28-7	4	15-5
Michigan State	27-8	4	15-5
Illinois	28-9	4	15-5
Wisconsin	24-11	5	14-6
Purdue	30-9	6	13-7
UCLA	24-12	6	13-7
Ohio State	21-13	7	12-8
Iowa	24-13	9	10-10
Indiana	18-14	10	9-11
Minnesota	15-18	11	8-12
USC	18-14	12	7-13
Washington	16-17	12	7-13
Rutgers	14-20	13	6-14
Northwestern	15-19	14	5-15
Oregon	12-20	14	5-15
Maryland	12-21	15	4-16
Penn State	12-20	16	3-17

Box score

Stat	Iowa Hawkeyes	Illinois Fighting Illini
Field goals	18-47	25-53
Field goal %	38	47
Three-pointers	11-30	3-17
Three-point %	37	18
Free throws	12-14	18-21
Free throw %	86	86
Rebounds	21	38
Offensive rebounds	8	16
Defensive rebounds	13	22
Assists	12	8
Steals	5	6
Blocks	3	5
Turnovers	9	8
Team turnovers	1	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	8	12
Fast-break points	1	4
Points in the paint	12	40
Fouls	20	13
Largest lead	10	12
Lead changes	13	13
Time in front	63	30

How the scoring went

2nd Half32-33David Mirkovic makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half35-33Tavion Banks makes 25-foot three point jumper (Cooper Koch assists)
2nd Half35-36Tomislav Ivisic makes 24-foot three point jumper (Kylan Boswell assists)
2nd Half38-36Cooper Koch makes 24-foot three point jumper (Kael Combs assists)
2nd Half38-38Keaton Wagler makes driving layup
2nd Half38-39Keaton Wagler makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half39-39Isaia Howard makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half39-41Tomislav Ivisic makes layup
2nd Half42-41Cooper Koch makes 24-foot three point jumper (Bennett Stirtz assists)
2nd Half42-43David Mirkovic makes driving layup (Keaton Wagler assists)
2nd Half43-43Bennett Stirtz makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half44-43Bennett Stirtz makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half44-46Keaton Wagler makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot
2nd Half46-46Bennett Stirtz makes 13-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half46-48Keaton Wagler makes driving layup
2nd Half49-48Bennett Stirtz makes 27-foot three point jumper
2nd Half49-50Andrej Stojakovic makes driving layup
2nd Half50-50Bennett Stirtz makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half51-50Bennett Stirtz makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half51-51David Mirkovic makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half51-52David Mirkovic makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half51-54Tomislav Ivisic makes 4-foot hook shot (David Mirkovic assists)
2nd Half51-56Tomislav Ivisic makes 9-foot hook shot
2nd Half51-58Keaton Wagler makes 13-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half52-58Isaia Howard makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half52-60Zvonimir Ivisic makes 4-foot alley oop dunk (David Mirkovic assists)
2nd Half55-60Isaia Howard makes 23-foot three point jumper (Tavion Banks assists)
2nd Half55-62Andrej Stojakovic makes driving layup
2nd Half55-63Andrej Stojakovic makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half56-63Tate Sage makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half57-63Tate Sage makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half58-63Tate Sage makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-63Tate Sage makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half59-65Andrej Stojakovic makes layup (Keaton Wagler assists)
2nd Half59-66Keaton Wagler makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-67Keaton Wagler makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half59-68Kylan Boswell makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-69Kylan Boswell makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half59-70Keaton Wagler makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-71Keaton Wagler makes free throw 2 of 2