'Illinois is the ONLY team that can stop UConn' | Sweet 16 PREVIEW! | 2024 NCAA TOURNAMENT

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The Field of 68 media network is your go-to place for all of March Madness. From the start of the conference tournaments through the end of the 2024 Final Four, there is no better place to get coverage of the 2024 NCAA tournament, the 2024 Sweet 16, the 2024 Elite Eight, the 2024 Elite 8, the 2024 Big East tournament, the 2024 Big Ten tournament, the 2024 Big 12 tournament, the 2024 ACC tournament, the 2024 SEC tournament or the 2024 Pac-12 tournament. Get your full 2024 Selection Sunday bracket breakdown here, as well as your 2024 NCAA Tournament East Region preview, 2024 NCAA Tournament West Region preview, 2024 NCAA Tournament South Region preview and 2024 NCAA Tournament Midwest Region preview. Duke vs. North Carolina is the first 2024 Final Four matchup while UConn vs. Purdue is the second 2024 Final Four game. Can Purdue or UConn win a national title in 2024?
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[@classicswagg1980]

This aged so very horribly 💯

[@peteroc4]

Who's here after UCONN washed Illinois?

[@AaronRIPS]

Yup.

[@s2cgar]

Just got here, props to UCONN and better hope they don’t have to face Purdue. Thanks Illinois for a great season “Elite 8”. Go BIG TEN!

[@edwardking7790]

They washed us 😅😅😅

[@codyf3483]

the rest of the field is as good as dog food

[@harrypool71]

Gorilla stomped

[@reeebok1]

Give me UCONN MINUS A MILLION ❤🐺🏆

[@CHARLESJOHNSON-gv7zy]

TERRENCE SHANNON JR#0 HAS BEEN THE BEST PLAYER IN THE COUNTRY THE LAST FEW WEEKS ..

[@firenore1]

He really fills the holes

[@Happytarheel7]

He is good at filling holes….

[@redhorse3873]

Not what he is "accused" of, but of course you would know, what with you being just regular azzholes.

[@darrelqify]

Uh…no

[@chrisharden5182]

Your a funny man

[@georgesouthwick7000]

Nobody is going to beat UConn.

[@iroulis]

We'll see how this ages.

[@EvanMoran207]

i've been saying this for awhile, as a UConn fan. Their big can shoot, TS attacks relentlessly, and they have shooting. THIS would be UConn's toughest opponent until (potentially) Houston. If UConn has ANOTHER poor shooting game Illinois can beat them.

[@Whatspoppin5]

If if if gtfoh

[@s2cgar]

Illinois will beat them!

[@KalelaChannel]

Poor shooting game and still won because of an elite defense. Didn't see that coming, did you. lol

[@classicswagg1980]

You sound like you were scared. You believed the hype when as a UConn fan, you’ve seen them dominate all season.

[@Whatspoppin5]

@@classicswagg1980 preach!!!

[@M0nkeyFishFr0g]

UCONN is the most victimized team in the NCAA tournament. I'm so proud of Hurley doing a great job of playing the victim and having that be their team identity. I will be rooting for these Victims all tournament. Elite mentality.

[@codyf3483]

lmao keep crying

[@mrlaw711]

Anyone remember coach Pete Newell? His son coached at Santa Cruz, CA high school for 3o year. Pete coached the Cal men's team to 59-60 NCAA championship. He had a great college career, and he also wrote a few books on coaching basketball. Bobby Knight referred to them frequently. Anyone want to mail a copy to Brad Underwood? Good guy, and I see him as an excellent rec center director where he hands some talented team a few balls reminding them to return them when they are done playing. It is obvious he is completely lost in a basketball game requiring basic HS coaching skills. H's an excellent recruiter, and his team is good enough to play a free spirited brand of street ball. I first note this shortcoming with Underwood about 6-7 years ago. Send him to coaching camps or simply get a better coach.

[@lynxbite0717]

Illinois and Iowa state fans pissed with this matchup as a cyclone fan. Good luck illinois I’m worried af 😂

[@mainlyjack871]

i hate this matchup as an illini fan lol, should be a great game

[@randpherigo9724]

I used to live in Ames.. -Best times of my life. But I also lived, and went to school in Champaign. Better times all around. & The last time we made it this far. Go Illini!

[@billsboat4261]

ILL !

[@chadanding8692]

INI!!!

[@richarddavis5289]

Both teams got hosed by the Committee.

[@DavidSiebert-qr1jj]

If Illinois shoots 40% from 3 point they’ll be in the final 4.

[@dantefazzina9037]

Yes, and if the queen had balls she would be King!

[@dantefazzina9037]

UCONN only made 3 3-point shots against Northwestern and crushed them. UCONN played their C+/B game versus Northwestern and the game was not close.

[@DavidSiebert-qr1jj]

40% for Illinois is not a stretch

[@DavidSiebert-qr1jj]

Northwestern couldn’t make an uncontested layup. It was one of their worst shooting performances of the year. Wide open 3 pointers not even close.

[@dantefazzina9037]

@@DavidSiebert-qr1jj And UCONN only made 3 threes.

[@blessd24]

Lol. Coach of the rear sounds like a different....industry. 1:47

[@islavuts]

WOODen coach of the rear, even

[@FlyIlliniFly]

Finally something that makes some sense regarding Illinois from the FO68. WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHED!!!!!!!!!!

[@reneewilliams5777]

How do feel now that UCONN beat your beloved Illini , Lol 😆

[@MichaelHotovy-qo7xi]

Creighton is UConn kryptonite. Hope we get to see the tiebreaker game between these two in the final.

[@ryansuter4424]

San Diego State’s Darrion Trammel scored 18 against Yale. SDSU also shot over 50 percent against Yale.

[@dantefazzina9037]

You watching the game tonight? Beat down!

[@dantefazzina9037]

UCONN is the Truth

[@ryansuter4424]

Well played! Congrats!

[@justinoldendorf4154]

Idc who's played who and who has what ranked defense. If UConn has a poor shooting peformance from beyond the arc like they did against NW, i guarantee you Illinois beats them. All it takes is 1 bad game, then teams aren't so invincible. Illinois played poorly last night in my opinion, but Iowa state isn't a great offense and it showed. Had Illinois shot to their capabilities at the charity strip Illinois would've broke 80 against the #1 defense. UConn is beatable.

[@codyf3483]

UConn shot 17% from 3 this aged well

[@justinoldendorf4154]

@@codyf3483 yeah and Illinois also shot poor, Illinois. Congratulations, you're coach has the most punchable face in America and your center should've have 3 early fouls that weren't called

[@ConGamePro]

Guarantee failed. UConn shot miserably from behind the arc and still won by 25 points.

[@crzycolchris]

2:10 St.Johns would got shafted from the big dance just put up 90 on Uconn.. that was a close game., they wouldn't go away

[@terryurich4733]

I saw that game. St. Johns are going to be good in the next few years. They are on the way back.

[@crzycolchris]

@@terryurich4733 after that game against UCcON I was rooting for them to get in.. I couldn't believe they didn't

[@rt_huxley9205]

UCONN practically had a cakewalk to the Elite 8.

[@huskialt]

wowwww the 1 seed had a easy road!!!! good job !! :D

[@rt_huxley9205]

@@huskialt yeah lol

[@randpherigo9724]

@@huskialt Its about to rear its ugly head to you..

[@anthonyfreund129]

Both SDSU and Northwestern were good teams. I wouldn't call it a cake walk it was just a mismatch. Few teams have the interior to matchup with UConn. When you have a great rim protector it limits what you can do offensively. Teams become perimeter oriented and resign to iso ball since the other players are able to guard the arc without needing to double inside.

[@dantefazzina9037]

That was the narrative last year! It’s fools gold to again this year!

[@georgesouthwick7000]

Good defense stops good offense.

[@s2cgar]

Not always!

[@dantefazzina9037]

UCONN plays elite defense.

[@robertreiman2943]

Illinois has not lost a game by 10 or more points all year, even against Purdue on the road after going down 20-4 to open. They would make it a close game. Hope we get to see that game.

[@dantefazzina9037]

UCONN is better than Purdue offensively and defensively. Not sure Northwestern was at 100% healthy against UCONN. But UCONN totally outclassed Northwestern.

[@dantefazzina9037]

No disrespect to Northwestern. They have a quality coaching staff, players and fans.

[@dantefazzina9037]

First focus on Iowa State. My advice is don’t bet your house on Illinois vs UCONN. Analytics have UCONN in the top five offensively and defensively. Illinois is ranked around 100. This is not a good match up for Illinois. Why, UCONN’s starters can all score 20 plus points in any game. Plus they have impactful bench players that can score and play great defense.

[@robertreiman2943]

@@dantefazzina9037 Didn't guarantee that Illinois will beat Iowa State or UConn. Just saying that it will be a game - highly unlikely either ISU or UConn blows out Illinois. Could it happen - yes. Could Illinois beat them both - yes. This is college basketball. You taking UConn or Iowa State against Illinois and 10 points? And as for Northwestern, Illinois put a 30 point loss on them without Shannon this year. The OT loss at Northwestern was a game where NW was unconscious from 3 and had not yet lost two starters which they played UConn without.

[@s2cgar]

@@dantefazzina9037 outside of maybe Ty Rodgers Iilinois’ starters can also score 20 plus as well and 2 bench players as well. U CONN won’t know what hit them. This is going to be the National Championship game here.

[@Growinggolfing]

The Illini have to play the best defense in the country and if they win that, go play the best offense on short rest? I don’t know.

[@Hungryman4]

Tyson,”Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

[@jacklewis5452]

and now Tyson is fighting Jake Paul because too many people withstood "the punch".

[@chuckd5819]

​@@jacklewis5452No, he's doing it just for some extra cash. He could demolish Jake Paul if he wanted to.

[@randpherigo9724]

@@chuckd5819 No kidding Chuck.. this is an exhibition not a fight.. If tyson gets pissed off even for a second..lol We may see an ambulatory jakey

[@anthonyfreund129]

@@jacklewis5452 Obviously not. He's almost 60 and fighting guys in their prime.

[@dantefazzina9037]

You mean Mike Tyson? EH beat his ass twice, also Buster Douglas

[@eekman9823]

Yet Auburn was supposed to be that team too! Now San Diego State (last years National runner-up) gets another shot at UCONN. The third time (third time is a charm) since Kawaii Leonard and Kemba Walker played. All I know is that IF... (and a huge IF...) San Diego State can hit 13 - 3's again, they will have a great chance to win given their Defense! That is a huge IF... though!

[@dantefazzina9037]

Not going to happen! UCONN will crush San Diego State!

[@terryurich4733]

San Diego State is a great great team. I hope they can pull off the upset.

[@podunkcitizen2562]

Everybody and their mother was right!

[@chrisharden5182]

Clones defense will do a tremendous job thursday night.This will be best defensive team they have seen. Nobody giving Clones a fighting chance.

[@fbharris67]

I don't disagree that ISU is best defense. But the notion that nobody is giving the Clones a fighting chance is silly. ESPN analytics has ISU with 58% win probability, and Vegas, with its billions of simulations has a spread of 1.5 in favor of the Cyclones. As an Illini fan, I still have visions of Loyola humiliating them 3 years ago. I could easily see Terrence Shannon getting locked down, and 3/29 3 point shooting, poor defensive rebounding, Domask making soft passes right to a Cyclone, being up by 8 with 5 minutes to play and collapsing. I think that Brad Underwood is a B, B minus coach, but have serious concerns about his ability to prepare and adapt.

[@codyf3483]

step on up and get your shit pushed in

[@steadylearner1]

Illinois = Miami from last year's Final Four. If ClingKong can stay out of foul trouble, Illinois will lose by 10 or more. If it's Iowa State, it will be worse. Maybe 20. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A SHANNON VS FRESHMAN CASTLE MATCHUP, ASSUMING ILLINOIS BEATS OUT IOWA STATE, WHICH IS A TOSSUP.

[@Gee2deDubya]

I'd counter that by saying that if Illinois continues at their current several game+ offensive pace, AND decides to play defense half as well as we already know they're capable, I like their chances against anyone, especially UConn. We've seen, imo, a glimpse into what I think UConn can achieve; they are close to their ceiling. We have not yet seen Illinois' ceiling; they have enough potential, that we can only hypothesize right now. Doesn't mean Illinois would win? On the contrary, it simply means your prediction is extremely generous, and a bit dismissive. I think it'd be a great game, and I'd be excited to see it.

[@TM-ew4kn]

LOL

[@crzycolchris]

@@Gee2deDubya Uconn missed 20 three's and won by 17. the ceiling is scary... I was watching the highlights. That team doesn't even need to jump shoot it was a highlight reel or dish passes for dunks and layups. you need to be 100% aware the entire game against those dudes

[@jacklewis5452]

@@crzycolchris Thats because they shot 81% from 2point range..........something thats not going to happen against Iowa State or Illinois

[@crzycolchris]

@@jacklewis5452 all layups and dunks. Also something that won't happen against iowa state or Illinois because they'll hit 3's

[@LukeIsyourfasha]

ok Olaf.

[@jeromedanielson4422]

UConn has already done what hasn't been done in 8yrs, the title team getting to the SWT 16 after winning it all the previous year, now they are playing with house money!

[@peteroc4]

Illinois offense can not keep up with UCONN. Shannon is a baller though.

[@fightingillini25]

The #1 offense in the country cant keep up? How does that make sense exactly?

[@peteroc4]

Like I said that offense won't keep up lol

[@AspireGMD]

@@fightingillini25 52 points.

[@codyf3483]

@@fightingillini25proof is in the pudding

[@Whatspoppin5]

@@fightingillini25we’re still waiting on you to explain

[@harrypool71]

UConn’s not losing. Only team that had a chance is Houston and that was two injuries ago. Nobody is deep enough

[@Blackindian723]

Deep enough? You don’t have to be deep in the tournament with all the media timeouts

[@randpherigo9724]

Illini got this.. (If they want it) - Im sorry, but i predicted some weird shit in my day.. this isnt even all that weird

[@randpherigo9724]

Im an empath... i get these feelings like im gonna throw up.. but in a good way

[@dantefazzina9037]

@@randpherigo9724 focus on Iowa State.

[@dantefazzina9037]

@@Blackindian723 are you kidding. UCONN has lost 1 non conference game the last two seasons. On the road at Kansas and UCONN had one starter out and two starters injured.

[@UR_Right24]

Have to get by Iowa St first. That will be no small task. They'll have to play their absolute best to get by them, and it will probably be like a 75 - 73 type game. I think IL has a decent chance to beat Iowa St. I doubt very highly IL can beat Uconn. I mean, they can beat them, they could beat them, but they won't beat them.

[@dantefazzina9037]

I am a UCONN fan and looking forward to Illinois vs Iowa State.

[@Fullcollapse1]

They could beat them no doubt if they get that 3 point game hot plus Uconn can't stop Shannon he's a beast on both sides. It's a team game so if they play as a team no problem. However if they keep missing free throws like vs iowa state it can cost em. Domask has to step up too.

[@dantefazzina9037]

@@Fullcollapse1 UCONN can play their B game like tonight and still beat Illinois by 20 points.

[@dantefazzina9037]

@@Fullcollapse1 your handle is sarcasm. But the irony is the programs in the Big Ten conference are the epitome of NCAA Tournament collapse the last 30 years.

[@shawna7813]

Too much hyping of Illinois. Purdue is a better team.

[@randpherigo9724]

I cant wait for them to get theirs.. -Purdue Grads ive met, have 95% been total losers

[@s2cgar]

I MHO Illinois hasn’t been hyped all season long. Not like Kansas, Purdue, Tennessee, UConn……. Go ILLINI!!!!

[@terryurich4733]

Purdue does not need the hyping. They are a 1 seed.

[@s2cgar]

@@terryurich4733 thanks to Mr. Edey, and Coach Painter, you are correct.

[@sonimbetterthanyou]

You sure about that title 🤣🤣. The first 25 points of the second half. 25!!!! Wtf. Illinois straight got bushwhacked. Embarrassing

[@dantefazzina9037]

Anyone watching the game tonight. UCONN played their B game and still crushed San Diego State.

[@s2cgar]

Good luck with that B game against Illinois!

[@billsboat4261]

Talk is cheap

[@s2cgar]

@@billsboat4261 Touché

[@dantefazzina9037]

@@billsboat4261 dude, back at you. In any profession, sport etc, historical performance is the most important factor in evaluating management, coaching, corporate performance, team performance etc. Projections are assumptions and are basically subjective. So Illinois is a projection. UCONN on the other hand is proven winner. There is a major difference!

[@billsboat4261]

@@dantefazzina9037 ha ok … I’ve just played ball my entire life and have some ideas based off that … im 40 now… old man …. I was watching uconn back in high school when rip Hamilton beat duke …. UConn is great but this Illinois team has some ballers … should be fun … can’t wait to watch it. Matchups make games also .., we’ll find out first half how they matchup. You sound like you’re in a business major or something the way you’re talking … best of luck to you.

[@billsboat4261]

Illinois can easily beat UConn if they play at least 80 % to their ability … Hawkins, Shannon , Damant, Dainga and a lot of other pieces … they are legit … just need to make their free throws unlike tonight

[@dantefazzina9037]

You are out of your mind!

[@dantefazzina9037]

Easily, you Illinois fans are passionate. But are not objective. You realize tomorrow night the Boston Garden will be 80% UCONN fans. Not that is a major factor. Straight up UCONN has the best coaching staff in the country, players that are battle tested, NBA size at every position and a great bench.

[@dantefazzina9037]

I hope you are still in the game at the 30 minute mark!

[@billsboat4261]

@@dantefazzina9037 are we talking about the same UCONN that lost to seton hall by 15 and lost to creighton by 19 pts ? Barely beat St. John’s ? Haha

[@dantefazzina9037]

Finally, defensively Illinois will be totally exposed. Your paper Tiger confidence thinking Iowa State is offensively close to what UCONN brings to the table will be on display.

[@samthomas3383]

illinois is garbage compared to rest of field the guys view of BIG10 is giving them some big time bias

[@terryurich4733]

I have not seen any hype. Most have I. State winning as they should.

[@chadanding8692]

😂😂😂

[@unclePhilcows]

Uconn has no answer for TSJ noone does.

[@Whatspoppin5]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@KaySlaydemGood]

How many points did boo had??? Bro UCONN PLAYS IN THE BIG EAST. Illinois plays in a cup cake league, iso ball. You think they win In Massachusetts??????? Here is a stat for you to consider 16-0 at home 7-0 at the garden. Come back and say sorry you didn't know after they get to F4

[@Whatspoppin5]

@@KaySlaydemGood Preach!!!!

[@firenore1]

Like Purdue, twice?

[@unclePhilcows]

@keionlinton9183 if Uconn wins they earn it and you beat an extremely beat up northwestern huge accomplishment. 👏 I said you don't have an answer for TSJ and you don't

[@Champy-kz7ny]

ARIZONA WILL HO SLAP BOTH

[@jacklewis5452]

In your dreams.

[@philipgodin9379]

Bring it. UConn will beat them by 15 or more.

[@rt_huxley9205]

@@philipgodin9379 Depends if Courtney green is officiating.

[@Happytarheel7]

Arizona ain’t beating UNC…. Hell they might lose to clemson

[@randpherigo9724]

@@rt_huxley9205 who is this..? Im getting concerned.. Tired of Illini being robbed too!

[@paulbyrne2929]

Iconn will shoot there way out of the tourney and if they run into a illini team I just think the illini is stack with vets and a giant Hawkins that is the difference in the deep Illinois run into the (((((((((((🏀(final 4 )))🏀))))))))

[@terryurich4733]

Dude. I wish I could believe that. Unfortunately Iowa State is for real. It could end tonight for the Illini. If they do get by them, UCONN is almost unbeatable.

[@s2cgar]

@@terryurich4733 dude so far so good for Illinois

[@MrJohndo18]

As a Uconn alumni and fan you already know who im routing for by Illinois has a good squad for sure!

[@dantefazzina9037]

Based on what! Illinois hasn’t done anything in 40 years.

[@s2cgar]

@@dantefazzina9037 40 years…..check your math.

[@Ijuststopthepucksbro]

Welp, this aged... poorly.