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For the primary time in additional than 20 years, the Illinois males’s basketball crew will nonetheless be dancing when the Remaining 4 suggestions off.
Iowa’s underdog run within the NCAA Match ended Saturday with a 71-59 loss to a dominant Illinois crew. Earlier than Illinois might lower down the nets at Houston’s Toyota Heart, a buzzer malfunction brought about a loud, roughly 10-minute delay.
The buzzer initially sounded signaling the top of a media timeout with just below eight minutes remaining within the first half. The horn continued blaring for about one other seven minutes.
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A referee talks with the scorer’s desk throughout an official’s timeout as a result of a damaged shot clock horn in the course of the first half of an Elite Eight recreation between Iowa and Illinois within the NCAA Match Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (AP Photograph/Ashley Landis)
Gamers stood on the court docket able to play for a few minutes earlier than each groups began to heat up because the buzzer continued to sound.
It was lastly silenced, to cheers from the gang, however then the primary scoreboard and video display that hangs over the center of the court docket went darkish.
The sport in the end resumed with the large scoreboard nonetheless off. Two smaller scoreboards at every finish of the world have been working.
Freshman guard Keaton Wagler scored 25 factors to assist safe Illinois’ first Remaining 4 berth since 2005.
Keaton Wagler (23) of the Illinois Preventing Illini dribbles in opposition to Isaia Howard (23) of the Iowa Hawkeyes in the course of the first half within the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Match at Toyota Heart March 28, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Alex Slitz/Getty Photos)
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This would be the sixth total journey to the Remaining 4 for Illinois, which has by no means gained a nationwide title. The Preventing Illini will face both Duke or UConn subsequent week in Indianapolis.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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