GREENVILLE, S.C. (Chambana Today) — The Illinois Fighting Illini are heading back to the Sweet 16 after pulling away from the VCU Rams for a 76-55 victory in the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday.
Despite the final score, the game did not come easily early on. VCU’s pressure defense disrupted Illinois’ offensive rhythm in the first half, forcing the Illini into a slower, more physical style of play.
That’s when guard Andrej Stojakovic stepped up. The sophomore attacked the basket aggressively, drew fouls and provided a steady scoring presence to keep Illinois in control. He finished with 21 points on efficient shooting, including a strong performance at the free-throw line.
Illinois carried a 35-28 lead into halftime — a margin that felt significant given the early struggles.
The second half told a different story.
The Illini found their rhythm offensively and tightened up defensively, gradually wearing down the Rams. Illinois extended its lead with improved ball movement and shot-making, turning a competitive contest into a comfortable win down the stretch.
The victory sends Illinois to the second weekend of the tournament for the second time in three seasons under head coach Brad Underwood, marking a continued stretch of postseason success for the program.
Next up, the Illini will face No. 2 seed Houston Cougars in the Sweet 16 — a matchup that carries added significance after Houston eliminated Illinois from the tournament in 2022.
