And there were four teams left…
The Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Tournament kicks off tonight, pitting the No. 3 University of Illinois against the No. 2 University of Wisconsin.
The University of Illinois made it to the Final Four for the first time in two decades after overcoming No. 9 University of Iowa with a score of 71-59. On the other hand, the University of Wisconsin aims for its third national title in four years, thanks to Braylon Mullins’ dramatic 40-footer that secured a victory over Duke with just 0.3 seconds left in the Elite Eight.
This isn’t their first matchup this season; earlier in November, Wisconsin triumphed over Illinois 74-61, never allowing the Illini to take the lead.
Illinois State vs. Wisconsin: Key Details
- When: April 4th at 6:09 PM ET
- Where: Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, Indiana)
- Channel: CBS
- Streaming: DirecTV
The winning team tonight will move on to compete in the national championship game against either Arizona or Michigan.
Illinois vs. Wisconsin Start Time
Tonight’s game is set to begin at 6:09 PM ET.
How to Watch Illinois vs. Wisconsin for Free
If you lack cable, several live TV streaming services can help you catch the game for free.
DIRECTV offers a great option for watching live college basketball at no cost, through a 5-day free trial that includes TBS, which will broadcast the Final Four. After the trial, subscribers can access over 90 live channels starting at $59.99 monthly.
For those hesitant about a full commitment, Sling TV offers a one-day pass for $4.99, allowing 24 hours of access to its Orange plan, including TBS. They also provide weekend and week-long passes, which can be handy.
As an added note, The Post has a printable NCAA bracket that details the entire 68-team field for March Madness 2026.
NCAA Tournament 2026 Important Dates
- Final Four: April 4th
- National Championship: April 6th
