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Greenville Today
By the People, for the People
Illinois Dominates Penn in NCAA Tournament Rout
No. 3 seed Fighting Illini cruise to 105-70 victory over No. 14 seed Quakers
Mar. 20, 2026 at 4:20am
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David Mirkovic led the way for Illinois with 29 points and 17 rebounds as the No. 3 seed Fighting Illini routed No. 14 seed Penn 105-70 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Illinois shot 50% from the field and made 15 3-pointers while outrebounding the smaller Quakers 48-25.
Why it matters
This decisive win for Illinois sets up a second-round matchup with No. 11 seed VCU, as the Fighting Illini look to continue their deep tournament run. Penn's season comes to an end, but the Quakers can be proud of their Ivy League championship and first-round appearance.
The details
Mirkovic set the tone early with 17 points and 10 rebounds in the first half, helping Illinois build a 40-30 lead. The Fighting Illini pulled away in the second half, stretching the lead to 23 points with 10 minutes remaining. Keaton Wagler added 18 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds for Illinois, while Michael Zanoni led Penn with 20 points.
- The game was played on Thursday, March 20, 2026 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
- Illinois will face No. 11 VCU in the second round on Saturday.
The players
David Mirkovic
A standout forward for the No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini, who led the team with 29 points and 17 rebounds in the first-round victory.
Keaton Wagler
A key contributor for Illinois, scoring 18 points with 7 assists and 7 rebounds.
Michael Zanoni
The leading scorer for No. 14 seed Penn, finishing with 20 points in the losing effort.
TJ Power
The Quakers' star player, who was limited to 6 points on 2-of-8 shooting after missing the previous two practices due to illness.
What’s next
Illinois will face No. 11 seed VCU in the second round on Saturday, March 22, 2026.
The takeaway
Illinois' dominant performance showcases their tournament-ready form, as they look to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, Penn's season ends, but the Quakers can be proud of their Ivy League championship and first-round appearance.
