Keaton Wagler credits 'the people around' him after masterclass to send Illini to Final 4

The Illinois Fighting Illini are going back to the Final Four, and head coach Brad Underwood has finally checked off the long-awaited goal.

In Illinois's dominant performance against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight, none other than freshman point guard Keaton Wagler led the way, earning an astonishing 25 points alongside three assists, two rebounds, and one steal.

Before he even left the court, Wagler was turning the spotlight away from himself and toward those who made all of this possible for him.

"All the people around me. Everyone pushed me every day. I’m a competitive guy, I hate losing," Wagler said. "Shoutout, Illini nation. I love all y'all, I-L-L baby!"

Brad Underwood has no doubt Keaton Wagler is one of the best freshmen

Well, while the people around him, like his family and friends who were in attendance, may have gotten him to where he is today, he got the Illini to the Final Four.

"[Wagler] is one of the best freshmen in America, one of the best players in America," Underwood said of his freshman star.

Behind Wagler's effort, the Illini are advancing to the Final Four for the first time in 21 years. The last time they made it this far, they went on to appear in the National Championship game, losing by just five points to the No. 1 UNC Tar Heels.

While Wagler may not have been born quite yet the last time Illinois punched its ticket to the Final Four, he was certainly alive and well tonight, proving that even an underrecruited freshman can make the unexpected happen.

"It’s been crazy. A lot of ups and downs for sure. Just staying true to it. [My teammates] trust me, my coaches trust me," Wagler said. "I just go out there and make plays."

In the Final Four, the Fighting Illini will face the winner of the Duke-UConn matchup, with either opponent being as formidable as possible. However, Illinois has already made it this far; why not take one more step?