Illinois Rallies Past VCU to Reach Sweet 16

Illini overcome 12-point deficit to defeat Rams and advance in NCAA Tournament

Mar. 23, 2026 at 4:22am

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The 3rd-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini overcame a 12-point first-half deficit to defeat the 11th-seeded VCU Rams 76-55 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Led by a dominant performance from forward Andrej Stojakovic, who scored a game-high 21 points, Illinois fought back and pulled away in the second half to secure the victory and a spot in the Sweet 16.

Why it matters

Illinois has been one of the top teams in college basketball this season, but has also shown some vulnerabilities at times. This comeback win over a scrappy VCU squad demonstrates the Illini's ability to weather adversity and make the necessary adjustments to advance deep into the NCAA Tournament, keeping their national championship hopes alive.

The details

After falling behind by 12 points in the first half, the Illini ramped up their defensive intensity and attacked the paint, with Stojakovic leading the charge. Center Tomislav Ivisic also made his presence felt, grabbing 11 rebounds and providing a strong interior presence. Illinois held VCU to just 34.8% shooting for the game, turning the tables and pulling away in the second half.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 23, 2026.

The players

Andrej Stojakovic

A standout forward for the Illinois Fighting Illini, Stojakovic scored a game-high 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting to lead his team's comeback victory over VCU.

Tomislav Ivisic

The Illini's starting center, Ivisic was a force on the boards, grabbing 11 rebounds, and also provided strong interior defense to help Illinois rally past VCU.

Keaton Wagler

A key contributor for Illinois, Wagler scored 14 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and made plays on both ends of the floor to aid the Illini's comeback effort.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The Illini will face a tough test in the Sweet 16, where they will take on the 2nd-seeded Houston Cougars, led by star guard Kingston Flemings. If Illinois can get past Houston, they would likely face either Iowa or Nebraska in the Elite Eight, two teams they have already defeated this season.

The takeaway

This comeback victory over VCU showcases the resilience and championship pedigree of the Illinois Fighting Illini, who have proven they can overcome adversity and make the necessary adjustments to advance deep into the NCAA Tournament and keep their national title hopes alive.