Why Illinois Is the Most Dangerous Team in the Final Four

Turner Sports analyst Stan Van Gundy stated the obvious Saturday amid the frenzy of Illinois players and coaches saluting the program’s first trip to the Final Four in 21 years.

Indeed, the Fighting Illini will be "dangerous" in Indianapolis next week, and it’s thanks to something cameras can’t sufficiently capture. Something crew members running point in the TV trucks know is neither glitzy nor colorful.

Oh, hey, quiet confidence.

Illinois overcame a sluggish start before defeating Big Ten rival Iowa 71-59 in the NCAA Tournament South Regional final. That transformed from vision to reality coach Brad Underwood’s seasonlong belief that Illinois carried national championship potential.

Now the Illini are just two victories away from the top. They’ll get a crack at college basketball’s summit a mere two-hour drive from their home base in Champaign, Ill.

“From the moment we stepped on campus we kind of got a sense of how talented we were, but it feels surreal actually being in this moment,” Illinois’ Andrej Stojakovic said. “I wouldn't want it any other way with these guys right next to me.”

The Illini did things together Saturday before celebrating their South Region conquest. In fact, that’s what helped them reach that point. When Iowa adjusted its defense to neutralize Illinois’ long-range prowess, the Illini shifted their approach, too.

A 38-21 edge on the glass -- including 16-8 on the offensive boards -- helped the Illini to more opportunities as they outscored the Hawkeyes by 16 after halftime.

“They consistently crashed all five guys, and we didn't do a great job making sure we were boxing out and getting the ball,” Iowa forward Cam Manyawu said. “And that was just kind of consistently through the game.”

Illinois' David Mirkovic had nearly an identical split within his game-high 12 rebounds, getting five on the offensive end.

“I think we were dominant on the glass from the first minute,” teammate Tomislav Ivisic said, “even in the beginning of the game.”

Whatever the juncture or variety, it added up to getting the ball in the hands of stoic but skillful freshman point guard Keaton Wagler.

A second-team All-America in his debut season, Wagler led all scorers with 25 points on 8-for-17 shooting to go with three assists while earning the regional’s Most Outstanding Player honors.

Asked to reflect on his path from high school to the Final Four in merely a few months, Wagler described the journey in a manner befitting the team’s understated poise.

“Just a lot of hard work, really,” Wagler said. “Just getting in every day, working hard no matter if it's basketball, lifting, eating, all of that. Just staying focused throughout the whole time, building chemistry with my teammates and coaches.”

Road tripping to Indy next week -- and ideally staying through the weekend -- offers the chance for Illinois to strengthen that bond. The Illini are clear, though, that they’re in town with a greater itinerary.

“I don't want anybody to think that this is it. … We didn't get to the Final Four just to get there,” Stojakovic said. “We're coming to win two more games and we'll take it one game at a time so, yeah.”

That may not be the most daunting warning in the world, but it qualifies.

Remember, these Illini are dangerous.