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Illinois basketball vs Penn how to watch, series history, and players to watch

Illinois basketball has to come out strong in the first round of the NCAA tournament, but it won't be easy taking out the Penn Quakers
ByRees Woodcock|
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Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Jake Davis (15) shoots during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Jake Davis (15) shoots during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images | Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

The NCAA tournament starts on Thursday, and Illinois basketball will get our first taste that night.

The Illini ended the season in less-than-ideal fashion. We lost five out of the last nine games we played, but with some rest and practice, Illinois should come out stronger than ever in the first round against Penn.

Let’s be honest, a No. 14 seed is always scary, especially when they come from the Ivy League. Illinois has to avoid being the butt of jokes and ruining people’s brackets this weekend.

Here is the Illinois basketball vs Penn how to watch, series history, and players to watch

  • Illinois basketball vs Penn – How to watch

The Illinois basketball program starts their run in the NCAA tournament on Thursday, March 19 at 8:25 p.m. CT/9:25 p.m. ET. This game will be taking place in Greenville, South Carolina. If you want to watch this matchup between a No. 3 vs No. 14 seed, you can watch it on TNT.

  • Illinois basketball vs Penn – Series history

There are a lot of Illinois fans who will experience the Orange and Blue playing Penn for the first time. This is not a storied rivalry, as the last time the two teams played was back in November 2001. Illinois managed to take that game by a score of 78-71.

Historically, the Illini have dominated the series, too. There have been six total games, and Illinois is a perfect 6-0 against the Quakers.

  • Illinois basketball vs Penn – Players to watch

Penn does have a lot of firepower, but Illinois looks to be getting the Quakers without their top player.

Right before the Ivy League tournament started, Ethan Roberts suffered a concussion. This kept their leading scorer out for the entire conference tournament, and per reports, he isn’t likely to be back for the NCAA tournament.

That is 16.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 steals Penn will be missing. TJ Powers has stepped up in Roberts’ absence. He is averaging 16.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game this season.

Illinois should be able to take advantage of the lack of size Penn brings to the table. I fully expect the Ivisic brothers, Tomislav and Zvonimir, to do pretty much whatever they want in the paint. Both players measure at least 7-foot-1, and the biggest player the Quakers will throw at us is 6-foot-9.

Overall, Penn is a fairly small team. Illinois’ backcourt should give them trouble, too. The length of Keaton Wagler at the No. 2 guard will be a problem for them. Kylan Boswell’s nasty defensive tenacity could be a shock to Penn’s system.

I expect Illinois to come out and give Penn a jolt early on. We have the size and talent to put the Quakers away early, and that needs to happen in the first round.

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