Illinois Advances to Sweet 16, Defeats VCU 76-55

Greenville, SC – The third-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini secured their place in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship with a decisive 76-55 victory over the 11th-seeded VCU Rams on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Game Recap

Sophomore guard Terrence Hill Jr. Led VCU with 17 points and seven rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a strong performance from Illinois. Senior forward Barry Evans and junior guard Tyrell Ward added 11 points each for the Rams.

Illinois was led by Andrej Stojakovic, who scored 21 points. The Illini had four players score in double figures.

Key Stats

• Illinois: 76 points, 48% field goal percentage (28-of-58), 38% three-point percentage (9-of-24), 65% free throw percentage (11-of-17)
• VCU: 55 points, 35% field goal percentage (23-of-66), 22% three-point percentage (7-of-32), 33% free throw percentage (2-of-6)
• Rebounding: Illinois 45, VCU 29
• Turnovers: Illinois 10, VCU 11

How the Game Played Out

VCU briefly held a lead at 28-26 following a basket by Hill Jr. With 3:09 remaining in the first half. Even though, Illinois responded strongly, closing out the half with a 9-0 run led by Stojakovic to take a 35-28 lead into halftime. The Illini continued their momentum into the second half, opening with a 15-4 run to extend their lead to 50-32 with 13:24 left in the game.

VCU’s Season and Early Setback

VCU’s season ended with a record of 28-8. The Rams were making their 21st appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The team suffered a significant blow early in the game with the loss of a key player, Nyk Lewis, in the opening minute.

Looking Ahead

Illinois will advance to the Sweet 16, where they will face Houston. VCU concludes a successful 2025-26 season, having won 28 games, tied for the second-most in program history.