Illinois' Depth Shines in Dominant Victory Over VCU
In the heart of Greenville, S.C., Illinois showcased why they're more than just a team with towering height. Saturday night, it was their impressive depth that stole the spotlight.
The Illini's dynamic duo of freshmen, Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic, started off quietly, but it was Andrej Stojakovic who stepped up in a big way. Coming off the bench, Stojakovic poured in 21 points, propelling the 3rd seeded Illini to a commanding 76-55 win over Virginia Commonwealth in the NCAA Tournament's second round.
This victory followed Illinois' emphatic 105-70 win over Penn, marking the first time in their NCAA tourney history they've secured back-to-back 20-point victories.
Stojakovic, limited to eight points in the previous game, ignited the Illini offense with 16 first-half points. Illinois (26-8) jumped to a 20-8 lead, but VCU responded with a 20-6 run, tightening the contest. Stojakovic then delivered a personal 9-0 run, helping Illinois take a 35-28 lead into halftime.
In just his second NCAA Tournament appearance after stints at Stanford and Cal, Stojakovic showed flashes of brilliance reminiscent of his season-high 30-point performance against Maryland. Despite battling a high ankle injury since February, he proved his worth coming off the bench.
The Illini started the second half strong, launching a 15-4 run to extend their lead to 50-32, effectively putting the game out of reach.
Tomislav Ivisic delivered a standout performance with 14 points and 11 rebounds, marking his third double-double of the season. Wagler contributed 12 of his 14 points in the second half, while Kylan Boswell added 12 points to the tally.
Mirkovic, following a record-setting opener, posted seven points, five rebounds, and four assists, showing his versatility despite a quieter night.
Illinois, which struggled with three-point shooting late in the season, found their rhythm, hitting 9-of-24 from beyond the arc against VCU. This brought their two-game total in Greenville to an impressive 40 percent from deep.
VCU (28-8) was led by Terrence Hill Jr.'s 17 points, but the Rams faced a setback when starting guard Nyk Hill exited with a lower leg injury in the opening minute.
The win marked a milestone for coach Brad Underwood, his 300th career victory, as Illinois advanced to the tournament's second weekend for the second time in three years. Their journey continues against Houston in the NCAA South Region semifinal, setting up a rematch from the 2022 NCAA second round.
Stay tuned for more coverage as the Illini aim to keep their momentum going.