GREENVILLE, S.C. — No. 3 seed Illinois dominated No. 14 seed Penn 105-70 on Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. David Mirkovic led the Fighting Illini with 29 points and a school tournament record of 17 rebounds.
Illinois Advances to Second Round
Keaton Wagler contributed 18 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds for Illinois (25-8). The team will face No. 11 VCU in the second round on Saturday. Kylan Boswell added 13 points, even as Ben Humrichous and Tomislav Ivisic each scored 12.
Illinois shot 50% from the field, making 15 three-pointers, and significantly outrebounded Penn 48-25. Michael Zanoni finished with 20 points for Penn (18-12), the Ivy League champion.
Illness Impacts Penn’s Key Player
TJ Power, who previously scored 44 points in a tournament win against Yale, finished with six points on 2-of-8 shooting in 30 minutes. He had been battling an illness and missed the two practices leading up to the game, receiving “four or five IVs” before tip-off, according to Penn coach Fran McCaffrey.
Illinois coach Brad Underwood praised Keaton Wagler’s defense on Power, despite Power scoring a late three-pointer. Mirkovic’s strong first half, with 17 points and 10 rebounds, helped Illinois build a 40-30 lead.
Illinois extended its lead to 23 with 10 minutes remaining after Mirkovic’s steal led to an alley-oop dunk by Zvonimir Ivisic. Penn guard Cam Thrower acknowledged Illinois’ size as a significant challenge.
Wagler believes Mirkovic deserves recognition among the nation’s top freshmen, alongside players like Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and AJ Dybantsa. He highlighted Mirkovic’s consistent rebounding, physicality, and hard work.
Following the game, the Penn players showed appreciation for their fans, applauding and acknowledging their support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the game?
The final score was Illinois 105, Penn 70.
Who led Illinois in scoring?
David Mirkovic led Illinois with 29 points.
What is next for Illinois?
Illinois will face No. 11 VCU in the second round on Saturday.
Will Illinois’s dominant rebounding performance continue to be a key factor as they advance in the tournament?
