CHAMPAIGN -- Illinois’ new-look offense is wasting no time making a statement.
The No. 3 Illini rolled past Penn 112-70 on Thursday night, using an 18-4 surge to turn a tight game into a runaway. Andrej Stojakovic led the way with 25 points in just 22 minutes, giving Illinois another explosive scoring night as head coach Brad Underwood mixed and matched lineups throughout the evening.
This was Illinois’ first game without preseason All-American David Mirkovic and third-year forward Jake Davis. Mirkovic is still recovering from foot surgery and a recent emergency appendectomy, while Davis had surgery a day earlier after suffering a separated shoulder in Monday’s season-opening win over Fairleigh Dickinson.
Even with those absences, the Illini kept the pressure on. Quentin Coleman followed up his strong start by scoring 15 of his 19 points after halftime, helping Illinois reach 100 points for the second straight game. The Illini opened the season Monday with a 120-45 win over FDU, a result that set a program record for margin of victory.
Against Penn, the attack came from everywhere. Illinois scored off drives, in transition and with a defense that limited the Quakers to 29 percent shooting. The Illini also got a major lift from their depth, with 10 players logging at least three minutes in the first half alone.
Freshman Ethan Brown posted his first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Zavier Zens added a career-high 18 points in 21 minutes off the bench, while Lincoln Williams made his Illinois debut after sitting out Monday’s opener and scored 12. Stefan Vaaks chipped in 11 points despite missing all four of his three-point attempts.
Tomislav Ivisic didn’t score much, finishing with two points, but he controlled the offense with a game-high seven assists. Illinois shot 59 percent from the field.
Michael Zanoni led Penn with 16 points.
Thursday’s matchup was a rematch of last year’s NCAA tournament opener, when Illinois beat Penn 105-70 on its way to four straight tournament wins and a trip to the Final Four.
The Illini now head to their first road game, traveling to Lubbock, Texas, to face No. 19 Texas Tech next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
CT on Peacock. Illinois beat the Red Raiders 81-77 in Champaign, with Stojakovic scoring 23 points and blocking a shot in the final seconds to help the Illini hold off the then-No. 11 team in the country.
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Illinois Gets A Big Chance With Intriguing Overseas Big Man
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For Illinois, the visit is about more than just checking a box on the recruiting calendar. Stombergas has shown enough in international and club youth competition to draw attention, and seeing him in person lets the staff evaluate his game up close while also giving him a taste of the program and the atmosphere inside the building. The trip does not settle anything, but it does put the Illini in position to make a strong impression on a player with real upside. [Read more 🡒]
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Illinois Faces A Brutal Test To Keep Its Big Ten Surge Alive
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For the Illini, the challenge is as straightforward as it is demanding: move the chains against a Nebraska defense that ranks near the top in stopping both third-down conversions and the run. That puts added pressure on Illinois to stay efficient, finish drives and avoid leaving points on the field, which is where kicker Ethan Moczulski could become a key part of the afternoon if the game tightens up the way Big Ten games often do. [Read more 🡒]