Illinois basketball vs. Iowa State score, highlights: Terrence Shannon, Illini win Sweet 16 game

The Illinois Fighting Illini beat the Iowa State Cyclones 72-69 on Thursday night in the Sweet 16 of the 2024 NCAA Tournament in Boston.

Terrence Shannon Jr. led Illinois with 29 points, while Iowa State's Curtis Jones paced Iowa State with 26 points.

Below are highlights from the March Madness game, which earned the Illini a spot in the NCAA Elite Eight.

STORY: Illinois basketball holds off Iowa State in March Madness, advances to NCAA Tournament Elite Eight

Illinois vs. UConn NCAA Tournament Elite 8 game time

Illinois beat Iowa State, 72-69 in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night and advances to the Elite 8 on Saturday. The Fighting Illini get a shot at the reigning national champs UConn at 5:09 p.m. on TBS/truTV.

Illinois free-throw shooting vs. Iowa State in Sweet 16

Illinois is 43 percent from the free-throw, making just 9 of 21 from the charity stripe. The Illini are up 55-51 with 5:38 remaining.

Illinois second-half scoring drought vs. Iowa State in Sweet 16

Iowa State is on a six-point run and trail Illinois, 51-49 with 9:46 to play. The Illini haven't scored in nearly two-and-half minutes. Terrence Shannon Jr. is on the bench with four fouls.

Illinois vs. Iowa State second half Sweet 16 score

Iowa State has come out hot in the second half, scoring 10 early points, but still trail Illinois, 41-36 with 15:42 left in the second half. Terrence Shannon Jr. still leads the Illini with 18 points.

NCAA Tournament 2024 UConn Elite 8 game time

UConn will take on the winner of Illinois and Iowa State at 5:09 p.m. Saturday in the East Regional Final. TBA/truTV is airing the Elite 8 game.

Illinois vs. Iowa State Sweet 16 halftime score in Sweet 16

The Fighting Illini are leading Iowa State, 36-26 at halftime in the Sweet 16. Terrence Shannon Jr. has 16 points for Illinois, which are shooting 41.4 percent from the field. Curtis Jones has 13 points for Iowa State, which is shooting only 29.0 percent (9-of-31) from the field.

Illinois single-game NCAA tournament scoring record

Deron Williams holds the Illinois single-game NCAA tournament scoring record with 31 points in a game against Cinnancinti on March 21, 2004. Terrence Shannon Jr. has 16 points as Illinois is up 34-24 on Iowa State with 1:13 left in the first half of the Sweet 16.

Illinois scoring run vs. Iowa State in the Sweet 16

Illini are on a 5-0 run, going up 21-12 with 7:19 to play in the first half. Terrence Shannon Jr. had a steal and a dunk after Coleman Hawkins hit a deep 3-pointer.

Terrence Shannon Jr. NCAA tournament scoring average

Terrence Shannon Jr. has nine points for the Illini, who lead Iowa State, 16-6 with 10:54 left in the first half. He is averaging 30.5 points a game during the 2024 postseason (Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament). Iowa State is on a 4:26 scoring drought.

Terrence Shannon Jr. starts hot in NCAA Sweet 16 vs. Iowa State

The Illini jumped out to an 11-2 lead over Iowa State just 15:52 into the game, hitting 4 of their first 6 shots. Terrence Shannon Jr. has six points on 2-for-3 shooting.

Illinois vs. Iowa State live score updates in NCAA Sweet 16

The winner of the March Madness game advances to the Elite Eight against defending champion and No. 1 seed UConn.

Reigning national champion UConn advances to the Elite Eight

UConn beat San Diego St., 82-52 on Friday night in a rematch of last season's national championship game. The Huskies doubled up San Diego St. in the second half, 42-21. Four UConn players scored in double figures led by 18 points from Cam Spencer. UConn awaits the winner of Illinois and Iowa State in Saturday's East Regional final.

What channel is Illinois vs. Iowa State on today? How to watch, stream live

• TV channel: TNT/TruTV

• Stream: NCAA March Madness Live app | Sling TV

The Illini and Cyclones will face off in a game broadcast on TBS and TruTV. Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Dan Bonner (analyst) and Stan Van Gundy (analyst) will be on the call, with Andy Katz serving as the sideline reporter.

Streaming options for the game include the NCAA March Madness Live app, which is showing every NCAA Tournament game for free, and Sling TV, which carries all tournament games on a Warner Bros. Discovery network: TBS, TNT and truTV.

Illinois vs. Iowa State start time, TV info, location

• Start time: 9:09 p.m. CT

• TV info: TNT/TruTV

• Location: TD Garden, Boston

Illinois vs. Duquesne preview

ILLINOIS: Coach Brad Underwood and the Illini are the No. 3 seed in the East Region of March Madness with a 28-8 record and victories in 14 of their past 17 games. The Illini, who won the Big Ten Tournament in Minneapolis, are in their first Sweet 16 since finishing as NCAA runnerup in the 2005 Final Four. Illinois opened the tournament with a victory against No. 14 seed Morehead State and a victory over No. 11 seed Duquesne.

IOWA STATE: Coach T. J. Otzelberger and the No. 2 seed Cyclones enter the matchup with a 29-7 record after winning the Big 12 Conference tournament championship. Iowa State is in its seventh all-time Sweet 16 appearance and second in three seasons. The Cyclones defeated No. 15 South Dakota State and No. 7 seed Washington State.

Illinois vs. Iowa State odds, betting line, spread

Odds according to BetMGM

• Spread: Iowa State -1.5

• Over/under: 146.5

• Moneyline: Iowa State -135, Illinois +110

Illinois vs. Iowa State prediction, game picks

Illinois 79, Iowa State 76: The teams have similar paths to the NCAA Tournament, but a contrast of styles. Illinois has the nation's No. 1-ranked offense and Iowa State has the nation's No. 2-ranked defense. Iowa State certainly has performed better against top-tier teams (two wins over Houston especially), but Illinois has the playmakers who we think will rise to the occasion.

Illinois vs. Iowa State stats

ILLINOIS

• PPG: 84.6

• PPG allowed: 73.4

• FG% .476

• 3PT%: .353

• KenPom ranking: 10

IOWA STATE

• PPG: 75.5

• PPG allowed: 61.3

• FG% .465

• 3PT%: .356

• KenPom ranking: 7

Illinois vs. Iowa State championship odds

Odds according to BetMGM:

ILLINOIS: +2800

IOWA STATE: +1400

Illinois basketball schedule 2023-24

The past five games of Illinois' 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here

Iowa State basketball schedule 2023-24

The past five games of Iowa State's 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois vs Iowa State score, highlights NCAA bracket updates: Sweet 16