Lead: In Greenville, S.C., No. 3 seed Illinois beat No. 11 seed VCU 76-55 at Bon Secours Wellness Arena to advance to the Sweet Sixteen, matching the program’s second trip in three seasons. The Illini (26-8) pulled away behind Andrej Stojakovic’s 21 points — 16 in the first half — and balanced interior play from Tomislav Ivisic (14 points, 11 rebounds). Freshman Keaton Wagler provided a late lift with 13 of his 14 points coming after halftime. Illinois now travels to Houston to face No. 2 seed Houston in the regional semifinal at Toyota Center on Thursday.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Illinois 76, VCU 55; game played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C.
- Illinois improved to 26-8 on the season; VCU finished the game 28-8.
- Andrej Stojakovic led Illinois with 21 points, scoring 16 in the first half; Tomislav Ivisic had 14 points and 11 rebounds.
- Keaton Wagler scored 13 of his 14 points in the second half; Kylan Boswell added 12 points, four rebounds and three assists.
- Illinois outrebounded VCU 45-29 and held the Rams to 35% shooting overall and 7-for-32 (three-point attempts).
- VCU scored 17 points off 11 Illinois turnovers but attempted only six free throws despite ranking No. 22 in free-throw rate nationally.
- The Illini have gone 20-0 this season versus teams outside KenPom’s top-30 and are 4-5 against top-20 KenPom opponents.
Background
The bracket opened favorably for Illinois, mirroring a route from two years earlier when the program again benefited from upsets in its region. As a No. 3 seed, Illinois avoided a higher-seeded mid-major until facing an AAC/Atlantic 10 champion in the Round of 32; VCU arrived as an upset-minded 11 seed with pressure defense that has troubled many opponents this season. Expectations around Illinois have steadily risen under head coach Brad Underwood, with the program now reaching two Sweet Sixteens in a three-year span for the first time since 2005.
VCU entered the matchup with a strong record and a guards-first defensive style that generates turnovers and quick transition points. The Rams’ season-long identity—a pressure-heavy halfcourt and fullcourt scheme—served them well through March. For Illinois, the game represented both a test of ball security and a tune-up before a tougher assignment in Houston: the Cougars combine size, physical defense and multiple NBA-caliber wings.
Main Event
Illinois exploded out of the gates with an 11-2 run in the first five minutes, attacking the rim and holding VCU to 1-for-10 shooting to start. Andrej Stojakovic paced the early surge, delivering five straight points during a subsequent 6-0 run that pushed the Illini in front 20-8. VCU countered with a 15-3 run that featured six fastbreak points off Illinois turnovers, erasing the deficit and briefly taking the lead in the first half.
Stojakovic then took over late in the first half, scoring 11 consecutive points to swing momentum back to Illinois and close the period on a 9-0 run, giving the Illini a 35-28 halftime lead. After intermission, Illinois extended the advantage with back-to-back threes from Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic, then added consecutive long runs that produced a 63-40 lead with 8:10 remaining.
VCU trimmed the margin with a 6-0 spurt, but Wagler buried a crucial three-pointer with 5:46 left to blunt the comeback. The Illini coasted the rest of the way, finishing with a 21-point margin. On the stat sheet, Illinois dominated the glass (45-29) and converted at the rim (15-for-26), while VCU managed only six free-throw attempts despite its season profile.
Analysis & Implications
Defensively, Illinois executed its halfcourt scheme well enough to limit VCU to 35% shooting and 19-for-62 on non-fastbreak field-goal attempts. The length and physicality of Ivisic and the perimeter coverages forced VCU into contested looks and poor finishing at the rim. Those features will be critical against Houston, a team that prizes halfcourt defense and rebounding position.
Ball security remains the Illini’s principal concern: VCU converted 17 points off 11 Illinois turnovers, underlining how pressure defenses can change short-term outcomes. If Illinois reduces careless possessions, its offensive balance — a combination of interior scoring and secondary shooting — should match up favorably even against elite defenses.
Matchup-wise, the upcoming game with No. 2 Houston raises different challenges than VCU’s pressure. Houston pairs length, institutional defensive discipline and multiple NBA prospects (including freshman guard Kingston Flemings and forward Chris Cenac Jr.). Illinois’ ability to defend without fouling and finish at the rim will be heavily tested; the Illini’s prior experience with pressure schemes, however, offers a partial blueprint for handling the Cougars’ aggressive style.
Comparison & Data
| Category | Illinois | VCU |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 76 | 55 |
| Rebounds | 45 | 29 |
| Stojakovic | 21 pts (16 1H) | — |
| 3-Point Attempts (VCU) | — | 7-for-32 |
| Rim FG | 15-for-26 (6 dunks) | 9-for-23 |
The table highlights where the game was decided: dominance on the boards and efficient rim scoring swung possession value heavily toward Illinois. VCU’s isolation and transition scoring produced bursts but not sustained efficiency against Illinois’ halfcourt rotations.
Reactions & Quotes
Illinois’ coach credited the team’s defensive focus and singled out Stojakovic’s early scoring as the pivotal sequence that changed the game’s tide.
Illinois head coach (postgame comments)
A VCU spokesperson acknowledged the team’s effort but noted that missed free throws and limited success at the rim hindered a full comeback.
VCU staff statement
One national analyst observed that Illinois’ rebounding margin and interior finishes made the difference, and that experience under pressure will matter next against Houston.
College basketball analyst (media)
Unconfirmed
- Whether officiating materially altered the game’s outcome remains a matter of debate; claims that key foul calls were missed are not substantiated by an independent review here.
- The projected Elite Eight matchup with No. 1 Florida depends on future results in the bracket and is not guaranteed.
Bottom Line
Illinois advanced to the Sweet Sixteen with a comprehensive performance highlighted by early scoring from Andrej Stojakovic, interior control from Tomislav Ivisic, and superior rebounding. The Illini showed they can handle pressure defenses while still generating high-value looks at the rim.
Next up is a major test against No. 2 Houston at Toyota Center on Thursday. That game will examine Illinois’ ability to protect the ball, defend bigger wings and sustain offensive balance against one of the country’s most efficient defensive teams. How the Illini respond will determine whether this season can grow into a truly deep run in the tournament.