Men’s Basketball vs VCU – Box Score | March 21, 2026

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Illinois Fighting Illini advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Saturday night, defeating VCU 76-55 at Bon Secours Arena. The victory marks the second Sweet 16 appearance for Illinois in the last three years.

Illinois, the No. 3 seed in the South Regional, controlled the game, particularly in the second half, outscoring VCU 28-14 during that period. The Rams, an 11th seed, had previously mounted a remarkable 19-point comeback to defeat North Carolina in the first round of the tournament.

Junior guard Andrej Stojakovic led the Illini with 21 points, while Keaton Wagler added nine points in the second half. Four Illinois players scored in double figures overall. For VCU, sophomore Terrene Hill Jr. Followed up his 34-point performance against UNC with 17 points.

Illinois dominated the glass and scored frequently in the paint, effectively neutralizing VCU’s attempts to regain momentum. The Fighting Illini finished with 43 rebounds compared to VCU’s 32.

VCU struggled to find consistent offense against Illinois’s defense. L. Djokovic led the Rams with 20 points, but shot only 6-of-17 from the field. B. Evans added 11 points for VCU.

Illinois’s victory sets up a Sweet 16 matchup against No. 2 seed Houston, who defeated Texas A&M 88-57 on Saturday. That game is scheduled for March 26 at the Toyota Center in Houston.

Illinois finished the game shooting 52.7% from the field, including 9-of-23 from three-point range. VCU shot 36.8% from the field and 5-of-18 from beyond the arc.

Illinois’s K. Boswell contributed 12 points and 4 assists, while J. Davis added 11 points and 3 rebounds. T. Ivisic also scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Illini.

VCU’s season ends with a 28-8 record. Illinois improves to 26-8 and advances to the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years.