A Cyclone rally fell short in Boston
John Walters on the Cyclone Network. Iowa State sliced a 10-point Illinois halftime lead to two but could not get over the hump in a 72-69 loss in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.
That’s ISU coach T.J. Otzelberger. A slow start was costly as the Cyclones trailed by as many as 13 points in the opening half and never led.
A Cyclone team that was picked to finish seventh in the Big-12 preseason poll finishes with a record of 29-8 and a Big-12 Tournament title.
Illinois won its seventh straight game to reach the Elite Eight for the first time since 2005.
That’s Illinois coach Brad Underwood. The Illini held off Iowa State in the waning minutes and will play top ranked and defending champion UCONN in the East Regional final on Saturday.
Terrance Shannon led The Illini with 29 points. Curtis Jones paced the Cyclones with 26.
