Illinois Beats VCU, Reaches Sweet 16

Andrej Stojakovic scores 21 points to lead No. 3 seed Illinois past 11th-seeded VCU

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:33am

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The No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the 11th-seeded VCU Rams 76-55 in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament to advance to the Sweet 16. Andrej Stojakovic led Illinois with 21 points in the victory.

Why it matters

Illinois' win over VCU marks the second time in three seasons under head coach Brad Underwood that the Fighting Illini have reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, showcasing the program's continued success and competitiveness at the national level.

The details

Andrej Stojakovic, a standout player for Illinois, scored a team-high 21 points to pace the Fighting Illini to the 76-55 win over VCU. Illinois controlled the game from start to finish, leading by as many as 21 points in the second half.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 21, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina.

The players

Andrej Stojakovic

A key player for the Illinois Fighting Illini who scored 21 points in the team's victory over VCU.

Brad Underwood

The head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini, leading the team to its second Sweet 16 appearance in three seasons.

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The takeaway

Illinois' win over VCU demonstrates the Fighting Illini's continued success under head coach Brad Underwood, as the team has now reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament two out of the last three seasons, solidifying the program as a consistent national contender.