Illinois Dominates USC in Blowout Road Win

The Illini cruised past the Trojans in Los Angeles, winning 101-65 behind a balanced scoring attack and stifling defense.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 5:31am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team delivered a dominant performance on the road, cruising to a 101-65 victory over the USC Trojans in Los Angeles. The Illini had seven players score in double figures, led by 22 points from Andrej Stojakovic. Illinois' stifling defense held USC to just 36.4% shooting from two-point range, while forcing 14 turnovers. The Illini also controlled the glass, outrebounding the Trojans by 11 and converting 13 offensive rebounds into 17 second-chance points.

Why it matters

This blowout win on the road against a solid USC team showcases the depth and balance of the Illinois squad, which has emerged as one of the top teams in the Big Ten this season. The Illini's ability to dominate in multiple facets of the game - scoring, defense, rebounding - demonstrates their potential to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

The details

Illinois jumped out to a big lead early and never let up, leading by as many as 36 points in the second half. The Illini's balanced scoring attack saw seven players reach double figures, led by Andrej Stojakovic's 22 points on 6-of-7 shooting. The team's defense was also exceptional, holding USC to just 36.4% shooting from two-point range and forcing 14 turnovers. Illinois also controlled the glass, outrebounding the Trojans 41-30 and converting 13 offensive rebounds into 17 second-chance points.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

The players

Andrej Stojakovic

An Illinois freshman guard who led the team with 22 points on 6-of-7 shooting.

Tomislav Ivisic

The Illinois center who had 3 blocks and anchored the team's stifling defense.

Kylan Boswell

The Illinois guard who, along with Stojakovic, helped hold USC's starting backcourt to just 4-of-14 shooting.

Gabe Dynes

The USC center who was limited to just 4 points and 5 rebounds against Illinois' strong interior defense.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

The takeaway

This dominant performance by Illinois on the road against a quality opponent demonstrates the team's potential to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. The Illini's balanced scoring, stifling defense, and control of the glass were all on full display, suggesting they have the tools to compete with any team in the country.