Govs of Connecticut, Illinois make Final Four wager

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HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - Connecticut’s governor accepted a friendly wager from the governor of Illinois.

The 2nd-seeded University of Connecticut men’s basketball team takes on 9th-seeded Illinois in the Final Four shortly after 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Ahead of the NCAA tournament matchup, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker put some cheesecake and BBQ on the line.

It’s on, @GovNedLamont.

I’m all in on our @IlliniMBB – and I’m ready to bet some of Illinois’ own @ElisCheesecake and @17thstreetbbq.

I-L-L! https://t.co/WyywyRerBH
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) March 31, 2026

Pritzker said he was all in on the Illini and “ready to bet some of Illinois’ own Elli’s Cheesecake and 17th Street BBQ.”Lamont accepted.

He put “two CT originals on the line - New Haven pizza and Pez candy.”He also said Connecticut is ready to cheer on not only the UConn men, but the women’s basketball team as well.The women play against South Carolina on Friday night.