No. 10 Illinois Crushes USC in Lopsided Victory

Seven Illini players score in double figures as Illinois dominates short-handed Trojans

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The 10th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini routed the University of Southern California Trojans 101-65 on Wednesday night in Los Angeles. Andrej Stojakovic led Illinois with 22 points, while seven Illini players scored at least 10 points in the lopsided victory. Illinois raced out to an early 15-3 lead and never looked back, shooting 32-of-62 from the field and 13-of-29 from 3-point range. USC was without leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara and struggled offensively, with Ezra Ausar's double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds the lone bright spot for the Trojans.

Why it matters

This dominant win for Illinois keeps them in sole possession of second place in the Big Ten conference standings, maintaining their position as one of the top teams in the nation. For USC, the loss is a setback in their quest to secure an NCAA Tournament berth, as they now sit at 7-8 in Pac-12 play.

The details

Illinois raced out to a 15-3 lead early and cruised the rest of the way, shooting an efficient 32-of-62 from the field and 13-of-29 from 3-point range. Andrej Stojakovic led the way with 22 points, while Jake Davis (12 points), Ben Humrichous (11 points), David Mirkovic (14 points), Tomislav Ivisic (10 points), Keaton Wagler (10 points), and Kylan Boswell (12 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists) all scored in double figures for the Illini. USC struggled without leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara, as Alijah Arenas and Kam Woods combined to shoot just 4-of-14. Ezra Ausar recorded a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

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

The players

Andrej Stojakovic

A wing player for the Illinois Fighting Illini who scored a game-high 22 points in the victory.

Jake Davis

An Illinois player who scored all 12 of his points on 4-of-4 shooting from 3-point range.

Ezra Ausar

A USC player who recorded a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

Chad Baker-Mazara

USC's leading scorer who was a late scratch from the lineup due to an undisclosed reason.

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What they’re saying

“We came out with a lot of energy and really set the tone early. Our balanced scoring attack was too much for them to handle.”

— Andrej Stojakovic (thesportsanimal.com)

What’s next

Illinois will look to continue their strong conference play when they take on Michigan State on Saturday. USC will try to bounce back as they host Arizona next week in a crucial Pac-12 matchup.

The takeaway

Illinois' dominant performance showcased their depth and versatility, with seven players scoring in double figures. This win keeps the Illini firmly in the hunt for a high NCAA Tournament seed, while USC's loss is a setback in their quest to secure an at-large bid.