BOSTON — Terrence Shannon Jr. spent most of the second half saddled with foul trouble.
When it was finally time to check back in, the high-scoring wing didn’t hesitate.
He put third-seeded Illinois on his back, leading the Illini to its first Elite Eight appearance since it reached the national championship game 19 years ago.
Terrence Shannon Jr. scored a game-high 29 points in Illinois’ 72-69 victory over Iowa State in the Sweet 16. APShannon sank a clutch 3-pointer, set up a teammate Dain Dainja for a dunk and came up with the clinching steal and basket in a 72-69 victory over No. 2 Iowa State.
He scored nine of his game-high 29 points in the final 5:08.
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“To do that cold shows he stayed in the game mentally,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. “He was always cheering and excited in the time-outs and on the bench. He was dialed in mentally, and that’s not an easy thing to do to, step in and bury a three. It was a big one.”
Illinois’ prize: No. 1 Connecticut with a Final Four spot on the line Saturday night at TD Garden.
It has now won 10 of its last 11 games, including a Big Ten Tournament title.
The lone loss came to Purdue, the top seed in the Midwest Region.
“This is what you prepare for. It’s super exciting to have the opportunity to go play the No. 1 team in the country in the Elite Eight,” Illinois guard Luke Goode said. “You can’t ask for anything better, honestly. … All the hard work we put in has kind of led us to this moment, and we’re excited for it.”
Curtis Jones scored 26 points for Iowa State (29-8) and Keshon Gilbert added 14.
Dain Dainja slams home a dunk during Illinois win. The Illini reached the Elite Eight for the first time since their run to the national championship 19 years ago. APColeman Hawkins has 12 points, six rebounds and three assists for Illinois (29-8).
Shannon was again the star, and is now averaging 28.3 points over three games in this tournament.
Shannon has yet to speak to the media since returning from a six-game suspension the third week of January on the advice of legal counsel.
The 6-foot-6 Chicago native is facing rape or an alternative count of sexual battery allegations from a Sept. 9 incident at a Lawrence, Kan., bar.
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (2) reacts after defeating Iowa State Cyclones in the semifinals of the East Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at TD Garden. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConShannon was in town to watch the Illinois football team take on Kansas.
He only was reinstated because a federal judge granted him a temporary restraining order that forced Illinois to reinstate him.
He is due back in court in May.
In a showdown featuring the top-rated offense (Illinois) against the best top-rated defense (Iowa State), it was Ironically the Illini’s defense that was one of the keys to the win.
It held Iowa State to 39.3 percent shooting from the field and won the battle on the boards by four.
“I’m super excited and proud,” Underwood said. “We didn’t come here to win one game. We came here to win two.”
