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Greenville Today
By the People, for the People
Illinois Defeats VCU in March Madness Thriller
Fighting Illini advance to Sweet 16 after comeback win over Rams
Mar. 21, 2026 at 7:20am
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No. 3 seed Illinois overcame a late deficit to defeat No. 11 seed VCU 72-68 in overtime in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The Fighting Illini rallied from 19 points down in the second half, led by a 29-point, 17-rebound performance from forward David Mirkovic. VCU's Terrence Hill Jr. scored a game-high 34 points but the Rams couldn't hold on after their thrilling first-round upset of North Carolina.
Why it matters
This hard-fought victory keeps Illinois' hopes of a deep tournament run alive, while VCU's Cinderella story comes to an end. The comeback win showcases the Fighting Illini's resilience and ability to win close games, which will be crucial as they advance further in the tournament.
The details
After falling behind by as many as 19 points in the second half, Illinois stormed back with a 17-2 run to tie the game at 62-62 and force overtime. In the extra period, the Fighting Illini outscored VCU 10-6 to secure the victory. Mirkovic's dominant double-double led the way for Illinois, while Hill's heroics weren't enough to lift the Rams past the higher-seeded opponent.
- The game was played on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
- Illinois and VCU tipped off at 7:50 p.m. ET.
The players
David Mirkovic
A junior forward for the Illinois Fighting Illini who had a 29-point, 17-rebound double-double in the win.
Terrence Hill Jr.
A senior guard for the VCU Rams who scored a game-high 34 points in the losing effort.
What they’re saying
“We showed a lot of heart and resilience to come back from that big deficit. David was a monster for us all game long.”
— Brad Underwood, Head Coach, Illinois Fighting Illini
“It's tough to end our season this way, but I'm proud of how hard our guys fought. Terrence left it all on the floor for us.”
— Mike Rhoades, Head Coach, VCU Rams
What’s next
Illinois will face the winner of the Gonzaga-UCLA matchup in the Sweet 16 next weekend.
The takeaway
Illinois' comeback victory showcases the team's mental toughness and ability to win close games, a valuable trait as they continue their quest for a national championship. Meanwhile, VCU's tournament run ends, but the Rams can be proud of their gritty performance and Cinderella story.
