In Los Angeles on Saturday, No. 8 Illinois delivered a dominant performance at the Galen Center, beating USC 101-65 in a Big Ten nonconference matchup that turned into a rout. Illinois built a double-digit lead within six minutes and led by 20-plus for the final 21 minutes, finishing 13 of 29 from three and converting 24 of 26 free throws. The victory improved Illinois to 22-5 overall and 13-3 in conference play while handing USC its seventh conference loss (18-8, 7-8 Big Ten). Bench depth and balanced scoring — seven players in double figures — defined the result and left little doubt by halftime.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Illinois 101, USC 65 — a 36-point margin that reflected control on both ends of the floor.
- Balanced attack: Seven Illini scored in double figures, led by Andrej Stojakovic’s 22 points in 18 minutes off the bench.
- Shooting: Illinois made 13 of 29 three-pointers and shot 24 of 26 from the foul line, while USC was 7 of 18 from deep and 12 of 20 at the stripe.
- Transition and turnovers: Illinois scored a season-high 19 fastbreak points and converted 22 points off 14 USC turnovers.
- Interior performance: Illinois shot 16-for-23 at the rim, blocked seven shots and outrebounded USC 41-30.
- Key availability: Andrej Stojakovic returned after missing two games with a high-ankle sprain and played aggressively; USC continued to miss Chad Baker-Mazara (out third straight).
- Implications: The win is a Quad 1 resume-builder for Illinois and keeps them in position for a high NCAA seed; the Illini remain on the road in Los Angeles before facing UCLA next weekend.
Background
Illinois entered the game ranked No. 8 and carrying strong Big Ten credentials at 13-3 in conference play and 22-5 overall. The Illini’s roster depth has been a hallmark this season; the team has frequently leaned on bench contributors to sustain offensive balance and defensive length. USC, at 18-8 and 7-8 in Big Ten play, is navigating lineup disruptions and injuries — notably the ongoing absence of Chad Baker-Mazara — while adjusting to the physicality of conference opponents on the road.
The matchup also carried schematic stakes: Illinois has emphasized spacing and three-point balance, while USC typically looks to attack inside and generate possessions at the rim. Those stylistic contrasts set up a contest where Illinois’ perimeter accuracy and transition pace could exploit Trojan weaknesses, especially when USC was without a full complement of scorers. The result reinforced season trends: Illinois continues to profile as a top-tier team nationally, while USC is fighting for consistency in a rugged Big Ten slate.
Main Event
Illinois jumped ahead early, using two Jake Davis three-pointers in an initial 8-0 burst while USC began 0-for-5 from the floor. The Illini pushed the margin to 15-3 after a run capped by Ben Humrichous’ triple and maintained separation through sustained defensive pressure and efficient ball movement. A physical first half produced heavy fouling — officials called a combined 23 first-half fouls — which turned parts of the opening period into free-throw sequences, but Illinois still led 54-32 at the break.
Offensively, the Illini spread production across starters and reserves. Andrej Stojakovic, returning from a high-ankle sprain, scored a team-high 22 points in 18 minutes, hitting 6 of 7 shots and all nine free throws. Kylan Boswell impacted the game with 12 points, eight assists, five rebounds and two steals; Jake Davis was perfect from deep (4-for-4) for 12 points. Keaton Wagler and Tomislav Ivisic each added 10 points, and David Mirkovic scored 14 with ten of those coming in the second half.
USC struggled to find consistent offense. Alijah Arenas, battling an illness, had eight points on 2-for-7 shooting with three turnovers. Ezra Ausar led the Trojans with 15 points and 11 rebounds; Jacob Cofie contributed 14 points. Illinois converted turnovers into 22 points and recorded a season-high 19 fastbreak points while holding USC to just one fastbreak point, a gap that symbolized the evening’s tilt.
Analysis & Implications
Strategically, Illinois’ length and rotation depth neutralized USC’s interior opportunities. Illinois finished 16-for-23 at the rim and produced seven blocks, making it difficult for USC to get high-percentage looks. The bench production — particularly Stojakovic’s efficient burst and Humrichous’ perimeter shooting — extended the Illini’s rotation stability and reduced reliance on any single scorer.
From a tournament-resume perspective, the Quad 1 victory strengthens Illinois’ case for a top seed. The Illini already project as a likely top-3 seed in many bracket models; maintaining that trajectory will depend on finishing the regular season strongly and performing in the Big Ten Tournament. A sweep of the Los Angeles swing would be a notable resume boost and the Illini can still vie, albeit with a challenging path, for a No. 1 overall seed if they run the table and add marquee wins in March.
Conference implications are more nuanced. Michigan remains the primary favorite for the Big Ten title, but Illinois’ win preserves its claim to finish near the top. The defense and offensive balance exhibited in this game will be tested next at Pauley Pavilion, where UCLA is 14-1 at home this season. How Illinois responds in that environment will better indicate whether this performance is a sign of sustained ascendancy or an outlier of matchup advantages.
Comparison & Data
| Category | Illinois | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 101 | 65 |
| 3-point shooting | 13/29 (44.8%) | 7/18 (38.9%) |
| Free throws | 24/26 (92.3%) | 12/20 (60.0%) |
| Fastbreak points | 19 | 1 |
| Turnover points | 22 | — |
| Rebounds | 41 | 30 |
| Blocks | 7 | — |
The table highlights how Illinois dominated transition scoring, free-throw efficiency and interior finishing. The Illini’s conversion on the foul line (24 of 26) was a decisive margin; combined with their rebounding edge (41-30) and points off turnovers, those advantages converted possession control into a large scoreboard gap. Historically, Illinois’ ability to score efficiently from multiple positions and defend the rim has correlated with its best wins this season.
Reactions & Quotes
The postgame mood reflected satisfaction with depth and execution while acknowledging upcoming challenges.
“Our bench gave us a lift and Andrej’s return was huge — that kind of energy keeps you locked in across 40 minutes.”
Brad Underwood, Illinois head coach (postgame)
Illinois’ coach framed the win as a team-wide effort and emphasized rotation health heading into a tough road test at UCLA.
“We couldn’t get going offensively tonight and fell behind early; Illinois did a lot of things right and we didn’t match it.”
USC postgame commentary
USC staff and observers pointed to illness and injuries limiting available options; analysts noted the gap in transition scoring and second-chance opportunities as decisive factors.
Unconfirmed
- Any internal timeline for Chad Baker-Mazara’s return was not officially disclosed and remains unconfirmed by USC medical staff.
- Reports that Andrej Stojakovic was fully cleared for week-to-week activity beyond this game have not been formally released by Illinois’ medical team.
Bottom Line
Illinois’ 101-65 victory at USC was a comprehensive performance that combined efficient shooting, transition dominance and defensive rim protection. The Illini demonstrated depth — seven players in double figures and a reinvigorated bench presence with Stojakovic’s return — which bodes well for a long postseason push. The win strengthens Illinois’ NCAA profile and keeps a high seed within reach, though sustaining that status will require consistent results against top-tier opponents down the stretch.
Looking ahead, Illinois stays in Los Angeles to face UCLA at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. CT (FOX). The Bruins’ strong home record and conference position ensure that the next game will be an important measuring stick for Illinois’ tournament aspirations and its ability to translate this dominant showing into repeatable success on the road.