Illinois basketball vs UConn highlights: Donovan Clingan leads Huskies to Final Four

Illinois basketball was overwhelmed by the top-seeded UConn Huskies 77-52 in an Elite Eight game Saturday during the 2024 NCAA Tournament in Boston.

Dan Hurley and the Huskies (34-3) are back in the Final Four to defend their national championship. Coach Brad Underwood and the Illini (29-9) were seeking the program's first berth in the Final Four since a national runner-up finish in 2005.

Below are highlights from the March Madness Elite Eight game at TD Garden:

Who advances to Final Four? Illinois vs UConn prediction in the NCAA Elite Eight

UConn advances to the Final Four with win over Illini

The Huskies overwhelmed the Illini in the second half and are headed to the Final Four after a 77-52 victory. UConn will face Alabama in Glendale, Arizona.

Donovan Clingan leaves after huge game

UConn big man Donovan Clingan checks out of the game likely for the last time, with under four minutes remaining. He had 22 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks and three steals. He was dominant for the Huskies.

NCAA 30-point victory in the Elite Eight

UConn leads 67-37 with 5:24 remaining. The last time a team won an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game by 30 or more points was 1992 when Cincinnati defeated Memphis, 88-57.

Illinois vs. UConn double technical foul

Luke Goode and Tristen Newton were called for offsetting technical fouls. The broadcast team said the duo was exchanging words.

Illinois shooting in the second half

UConn 56, Illinois 25: The Illini are 1-for-19 in the first 10 minutes of the second half. UConn in total control.

UConn on an incredible run vs. Illinois

UConn 56, Illinois 25: The Huskies have scored the last 30 points in this game, including 25 in this half. An incredible run. Illinois finally breaks the streak with a layin.

UConn basketball dominant to begin second half

UConn 41, Illinois 23: The Huskies have scored the first 13 points of the second half to take control of the Elite Eight game. The Illini has not scored this half.

Hollywood icons Bill Murray and Larry David in the crowd

Actor Bill Murray was shown cheering for UConn as the TV broadcast headed to commercial.

Is Murray, a longtime Illini fan, a traitor? No, he's just supporting his son, Luke, who is an assistant for the UConn basketball team.

Also shown during the broadcast was "Seinfeld" creator Larry David, also known for the long-running series "Curb Your Enthusiasm." According to thehour.com, David said: "I'm in Boston and my friend got me tickets."

Donovan Clingan helps UConn begin second half strong

UConn 35, Illinois 23: UConn has scored the first seven points of the second half to extend their lead to 12.

Illinois basketball trails UConn at halftime of Elite Eight game

UConn 28, Illinois 23: Marcus Domask for Illinois (15 points) and UConn big man Donovan Clingan (nine points) lead the way for their respective teams in the Elite Eight game.

UConn reserve Hassan Diarra playing well

Hassan Diarra nailed a 3-pointer just moments after Illinois earned its first tie. Diarra has seven points off the bench for the Huskies, who are on a 5-0 run to pull ahead 28-23 in the final seconds of the first half.

Marcus Domask helps Illinois pull into a tie

Marcus Domask has 15 of the Illini's 23 points, single-handedly keeping them in this game — another inside basket pulling them into a 23-23 tie in the final two minutes of the half.

Illinois basketball climbs back into physical game

Illini getting to the rim as 7-foot-2 UConn big man Donovan Clingan rests on the bench. Coleman Hawkins and Marcus Domask back down for baskets as Illinois breaks its dry spell to pull within 23-21 at the 3:15 TV timeout.

The officials are letting these teams play.

Illinois star Terrence Shannon Jr. quiet so far

UConn is doing a great job defending Terrence Shannon Jr. He is 1-for-5 from the field with two points, his only basket on a fastbreak. Illinois has not scored in nearly five minutes and trails 19-13.

Donovan Clingan is dominating inside for UConn

UConn big man Donovan Clingan goes right at Coleman Hawkins for another inside basket to extend the lead to 19-13 with 8:30 remaining. He has nine points and is playing solid defense, as well.

Marcus Domask leading rally for Illini basketball

Domask scored five straight points for the Illini and then they followed that up with a fastbreak layup from Terrence Shannon Jr. to pull Illinois with 13-10 with 12:10 to go.

Domask, a transfer from Southern Illinois, added another 3-pointer soon after to pull the Illini to 15-13 at the 10:58 TV timeout.

How tall is Donovan Clingan of UConn basketball?

UConn 7-foot-2 big man Donovan Clingan has three buckets and a free throw, using his size to control the paint so far. UConn leads 7-0 with 17:00 to go.

Illinois basketball starters vs. UConn

Here are the Fighting Illini starters vs. UConn in the Elite Eight:

• Terrence Shannon Jr.

• Marcus Domask

• Quincy Guerrier

• Ty Rodgers

• Coleman Hawkins

UConn Huskies starters vs. Illinois in the Elite EIght:

• Donovan Clingan

• Cam Spencer

• Tristen Newton

• Stephon Castle

• Alex Karaban

Who made the Final Four?

The winner of the Illinois-UConn game advances to face either Alabama or Clemson in the NCAA Final Four, scheduled for April 6-8 in Glendale, Arizona.

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

• TV channel: TBS/truTV

• Stream: March Madness Live app | Sling TV

Illinois will play UConn in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on TBS and truTV. The game can also be streamed for free on the March Madness Live app on Sling TV. Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Dan Bonner (analyst), Stan Van Gundy (analyst) and Andy Katz (sideline reporter) will have the call of the Fighting Illini vs. the Huskies.

Illinois vs. UConn game time, TV info, location

• Date: Saturday, March 30

• Time: 5:09 p.m. CT

• Location: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

Illinois and UConn will tip off at 5:09 p.m. CT on Saturday, March 30 in Elite Eight of the East Region at TD Garden in Boston.

MORE: Watch select NCAA Tournament games with Sling TV

Illinois vs. UConn team odds, betting line, spread

Odds according to BetMGM as of Friday, March 29.

• Spread: UConn -8.5

• Over/under: 155.5

• Moneyline: UConn -450 | Illinois +333

Illinois vs. UConn preview

• Illinois: The Illini (29-8) are 16-3 since the beginning of 2024 including the Big Ten Conference tournament championship. Seventh-year coach Brad Underwood and Illinois finally have broken through for their first trip to the NCAA Tournament second weekend since 2005. Illinois is led by star guard Terrence Shannon Jr. — who scored 29 points in 22 minutes of a Sweet 16 victory against Iowa State — plus key players like Marcus Domask and Coleman Hawkins.

• UConn: The Huskies (34-3) have won 10 games in a row, the latest a 30-point Sweet 16 victory over San Diego State. Nine of those victories have been by double digits. The defending national champion lost three starters to the NBA, but somehow improved. Newcomers like freshman Stephon Castle and Rutgers transfer Cam Spencer, have joined ster returnees like Big East POY Tristen Newton, Alex Karaban and 7-foot-2 center Donovan Clingan.

Illinois vs. UConn prediction, game picks

UConn 82, Illinois 75: Illinois beat Iowa State in a contrast of styles, able to have its playmakers execute down the stretch. UConn will be a much larger task for the Illini, who must hope to keep it close enough to give players like Terrence Shannon a chance to be playmakers in big spots. But the Huskies are not the Cyclones, and we think they have enough to outrun the Illini.

Illinois vs. UConn injury updates

• Illinois: Reserve Max Williams has been injured since early March. Coach Brad Underwood reports no other injuries for the Elite Eight game vs. UConn.

• UConn: Coach Dan Hurley and the Huskies report no injuries for the Elite Eight game vs. Illinois.

Illinois vs. UConn stats

ILLINOIS

• PPG: 84.2

• PPG allowed: 73.2

• FG%: .475

• 3PT%: .351

• KenPom ranking: 10

UCONN

• PPG: 81.6

• PPG allowed: 63.6

• FG%: .497

• 3PT%: .362

• KenPom ranking: 1

Illinois vs UConn championship odds

Odds according to BetMGM:

• Illinois: +1900

• UConn: +120

Illinois basketball schedule 2023-24

Below are Illinois' five most recent games. For the Illini's full 2023-24 schedule, click here.

UConn basketball schedule 2023-24

Below are Connecticut's five most recent games. For the Huskies' full 2023-24 schedule, click here.

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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois vs UConn highlights, NCAA bracket updates: March Madness