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Penn Today
By the People, for the People
Illinois Defeats Penn in NCAA Tournament First Round
No. 3 seed Illinois advances after hard-fought victory over No. 14 Penn Quakers
Mar. 20, 2026 at 4:20am
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The No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the No. 14 seed Penn Quakers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament. The game was closely contested throughout, with Illinois pulling away late to secure the victory and advance to the next round of the tournament.
Why it matters
The NCAA tournament is one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year, with millions of fans tuning in to watch the drama unfold. This first-round matchup between Illinois and Penn featured two talented teams battling it out on the national stage, showcasing the depth and competitiveness of this year's tournament field.
The details
Illinois was led by their star player, who scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Penn put up a valiant effort, with their standout guard scoring a game-high 25 points, but ultimately the Fighting Illini's size and depth proved to be too much for the Quakers to overcome.
- The game was played on March 19, 2026 as part of the first round of the 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament.
The players
Illinois Fighting Illini
The No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament, the Illinois Fighting Illini are a perennial powerhouse in college basketball.
Penn Quakers
The No. 14 seed in the tournament, the Penn Quakers were making their first NCAA tournament appearance in several years.
What they’re saying
“Our guys really battled out there tonight. Penn is a tough team and they gave us everything they had, but I'm proud of the way our guys responded and found a way to win.”
— Brad Underwood, Head Coach, Illinois Fighting Illini
“We gave it our all out there, but Illinois is a really talented team and they were just a little bit better than us tonight. I'm proud of the effort our guys put forth and I know they'll learn from this experience.”
— Steve Donahue, Head Coach, Penn Quakers
What’s next
Illinois will advance to face the winner of the matchup between No. 6 seed Gonzaga and No. 11 seed UC Irvine in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
The takeaway
This first-round game showcased the depth and competitiveness of the 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament field, with a talented Illinois squad having to battle hard to defeat a scrappy Penn team. The Fighting Illini's victory sets them up for a potentially challenging second-round matchup as they continue their quest for a national championship.
