Final Four Breakdown, Antwane Willis Jr. on the Hawks, and Matt Stevens on Illinois

The Final Four is set, and Sports IQ dives into what makes this year’s field so compelling. Larry opens with the latest headlines, including the Women’s Final Four being finalized, NFL news on the 2029 Super Bowl in Las Vegas, and the league’s new push into professional flag football. From there, the focus shifts to March basketball, where seeding, momentum, and timing are once again shaping the road to a title. Antwane Willis Jr. joins the show to break down the Atlanta Hawks’ late-season resurgence. He explains how the roster reset, the growth of Jalen Johnson, and the arrival of veteran voices have helped transform Atlanta into one of the hottest teams in the East. The conversation also looks at the impact of CJ McCollum, the development of the Hawks’ younger core, and why this recent stretch may be more than just a temporary run. Later, Matt Stevens joins Larry to take a deeper look at Illinois and why this team is so dangerous right now. Rather than relying solely on offense, the Illini have become far more connected defensively, more disciplined on the glass, and better equipped to win in tournament settings. Matt also discusses the emergence of freshmen Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovich, the leadership of Kylan Boswell, and why Illinois may be built the right way for a Final Four played in a football stadium, where defense and composure tend to matter even more. The episode closes with women’s Final Four discussion, including whether the sport can continue to grow beyond a small handful of dominant programs, and a “Moment of Awe” that revisits Arizona’s 1997 national championship run—still one of the most impressive title paths in NCAA tournament history.