For the first time in 21 years, Illinois has made it to the promised land: the Final Four.
And it’s not just any Final Four — it’s the Final Four in Indianapolis.
And it’s not just the Final Four in Indianapolis — Michigan will be there too. As will our friends from 2005 in Arizona, and our recent rival in UCONN.
How fun!
With two No. 1 seeds and a No. 2 seed standing in the Illini’s way between the first national title in program history, let’s take a look at why — and why not — Illinois will win the championship
this April.
Why Illinois will win the national championship in 2026
Because is there a better team right now?
While we were all a little broken over the four overtime losses — two to Wisconsin — and the buzzer beater against Nebraska in December, this team has rarely lost all season. The worst game the Illini played was against UCONN more than four months ago, and Keaton Wagler played 14 minutes and scored three points in that contest.
It’s a very different team now, and this team has shown us they can make adjustments, have different guys step up, and be the best version of themselves when the stakes are the highest.
Plus, I’m all about revenge.
Illinois has lost twice to UCONN in the past 25 months.
Arizona has won six of the last seven against Illinois over the past quarter century (we all know what the “one” is).
And I don’t need to remind anyone about what happened against Michigan in February.
So, let’s roll with the upsets and win a title.
Why Illinois will not win the national championship in 2026
Man, these teams are crazy good.
Illinois got some bracket luck to get to this point, but these are the best of the best. Not to say Illinois doesn’t belong, but to top two of these teams will take a monster effort.
The Illini haven’t always been the most consistent team — evidenced by the less-than-stellar February stretch. I’m worried UCONN is in the Illini’s head and falling behind 12-2 again (like against Iowa) won’t end with the same results (71-59 win).
After that Duke game, does UCONN not just give off “team of destiny” vibes? That’s not the kind of ending that will soon be forgotten; it’s the moment that lifts the Huskies to their third national title in four years. (Tell me I’m wrong).
If Illinois does get past UCONN, I don’t love the No. 1 seed standing in the Illini’s way. Michigan had Illinois’ number in February and they bullied Keaton Wagler and the Illini into one of their worst games in recent memory.
And don’t get me started on the wagon that is Arizona.
It’s been an incredible run, but it probably ends here.
What do you think? Are you on team “Illinois will win” or “Illinois will not win”?
