Illinois leaned on a stifling defensive effort to knock off No. 2 Houston, 65-55, and secure a spot in the Elite Eight.
The Fighting Illini held the Cougars to 34% shooting, a mark that helped produce Houston’s lowest-scoring game of the season. Illinois’ defensive pressure set the tone throughout, keeping one of the nation’s top seeds from finding consistent rhythm on offense.
Defense drives Illinois’ advance
With Houston struggling to convert possessions, Illinois controlled the game’s flow and made its scoring count in a physical, low-scoring contest. The Illini’s ability to force difficult shots and limit efficiency proved decisive as they built enough separation to close out the win.
The result sends Illinois into the Elite Eight, continuing its tournament run after turning in a complete defensive performance against a highly ranked opponent.