Skip to main content
Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois needs to take advantage of the NCAA tournament gift from North Carolina

The NCAA tournament has been crazy, and the Illinois basketball program just got a gift from the first game in Greenville, South Carolina
ByRees Woodcock|
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
Feb 15, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood before the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Feb 15, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood before the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The Illinois basketball team has had their game pushed back due to the VCU vs North Carolina game going to overtime.

While the Illini prep for Penn to give us a tough fight, we got to see which program we might be playing in the Round of 32. While we can’t look ahead or the Quakers might clip us, it is nice to know who we play next.

North Carolina was the favorite heading into the contest on Thursday evening. They were the No. 6 seed taking on No. 11 VCU. The Rams were down by double-digit points numerous times throughout the game, but they continued to chip away at the lead.

Sadly, the contest went to overtime, which pushed back the start of the Illinois game. But there is a massive silver lining. North Carolina gave Illinois an incredible gift by falling to VCU.

The Rams took out the Tar Heels by a score of 82-78. This was a great win for the program and the first NCAA tournament win since 2016.

Illinois basketball needs to take care of business so we can enjoy this NCAA tournament gift

There are a couple of reasons why I am celebrating this win for VCU. The first is that I think North Carolina is the better team. I know the Rams won the game, but the Tar Heels have better all-around players.

Secondly, this section of the bracket is in Greenville, South Carolina. That is a hop, skip, and jump away from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. This would essentially be a home game for the Tar Heels.

The mission is now even clearer. Illinois needs to take care of business against Penn. We can’t play with our food because we have seen what a team like Siena can do in scaring a better program.

If the Illini can just beat down Penn and put that game away in the first half, the road to the Sweet 16 seems to be a little smoother. There is even more on the line now.

Home/Illinois Basketball