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Illinois Fighting Illini play the Iowa Hawkeyes in Elite 8

By The Associated Press

Iowa Hawkeyes (24-12, 12-11 Big Ten) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (27-8, 15-6 Big Ten)

Houston; Saturday, 6:09 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Fighting Illini -6.5; over/under is 138.5

BOTTOM LINE: No. 13 Illinois takes on Iowa in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Fighting Illini have gone 15-6 against Big Ten teams, with a 12-2 record in non-conference play. Illinois is second in the Big Ten scoring 84.2 points while shooting 46.4% from the field.

The Hawkeyes are 12-11 in Big Ten play. Iowa averages 75.0 points while outscoring opponents by 8.9 points per game.

Illinois is shooting 46.4% from the field this season, 0.5 percentage points higher than the 45.9% Iowa allows to opponents. Iowa scores 6.0 more points per game (75.0) than Illinois gives up (69.0).

The teams square off for the second time this season. Illinois won the last matchup 75-69 on Jan. 11. Keaton Wagler scored 19 to help lead Illinois to the win, and Tavion Banks scored 16 points for Iowa.

TOP PERFORMERS: Wagler is averaging 17.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists for the Fighting Illini. David Mirkovic is averaging 16.4 points over the last 10 games.

Bennett Stirtz is shooting 47.7% and averaging 19.7 points for the Hawkeyes. Cooper Koch is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Fighting Illini: 7-3, averaging 82.8 points, 36.4 rebounds, 14.6 assists, 4.2 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.2 points per game.

Hawkeyes: 5-5, averaging 71.8 points, 25.8 rebounds, 14.9 assists, 6.1 steals and 1.0 block per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 70.7 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Cheryl Reeve steps away from the WNBA grind for a Hall of Fame induction

By The Associated Press
Cheryl Reeve is taking a break from her busy WNBA season to head to Knoxville this weekend and be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. She's only the second WNBA coach to enter the Hall of Fame, joining former Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor, who was inducted in 2001. “(I appreciate) the magnitude of this recognition of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and the great work that has gone into this institution,” Reeve said. “To walk around and see the history of how much has been done years before I could ever have this opportunity to coach. Grateful to the WNBA because I think there was some consideration given schedule wise.” Reeve will be joined by WNBA greats Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne in this year's class. Parker and Delle Donne also will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame later this year. Other inductees include ESPN broadcaster Doris Burke, Kirkwood Community College coach Kim Muhl, Spanish star Amaya Valdemoro, French great Isabelle Fijalkowski and Clemson's all-time leading scorer and rebounder, Barbara Kennedy-Dixon.
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