It was undeniably devastating when VCU guard Nyk Lewis went down just one minute into the second-round game between the Rams and the Illinois Fighting Illini.
However, it became rapidly apparent that even if Lewis had remained perfectly healthy throughout the entirety of the matchup, there was no stopping the Illini on their journey to the Sweet 16.
Illinois outperformed VCU in nearly every measurable statistic, and with 10 minutes left in the game, the No. 3-seed Fighting Illini had already built their lead up to 19 points, blowing past the No. 11-seed Rams, who were fresh off their upset of the six-seed UNC Tar Heels
At the end of the day, Illinois was going to win, whether it was the 76-55 victory that happened with Lewis injured, or by a slightly smaller margin with him still in the game.
Illinois only had one flaw in routing of VCU Rams
The Illini had an incredible shooting game, led by junior guard Andrej Stojakovic, who came off the bench to lead the team with 21 points. Illinois shot a highly respectable 48 percent from the field, 38 percent from beyond the arc, and 65 percent from the charity stripe.
Meanwhile, the Rams shot just 35 percent from the field and a minimal 22 percent from three-point range. Not to mention, VCU only had six free throw attempts (making just two of them) as the Fighting Illini played virtually perfect defense and highly controlled offense.
The one area that Illinois head coach Brad Underwood must address before the Sweet 16, where the Illini will face the No. 2-seed Houston Cougars, is his team turning the ball over.
Illinois committed 11 turnovers and allowed eight steals for VCU, while only forcing 10 turnovers by the Rams. Against a team like Houston, the Fighting Illini cannot make that many mistakes on offense, or it will cut this dream run through the NCAA Tournament short.
During the game, VCU announced that Lewis had suffered an ankle sprain and wouldn't return to the matchup, after playing just one minute in his team's attempt to pull off a second upset on the weekend.
VCU’s Nyk Lewis suffered an ankle sprain a minute into the game and will not return, spokesman told @TheFieldOf68. pic.twitter.com/RvQqat47TS
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 22, 2026
Lewis's absence was a heartbreaking loss for the Rams, but it was by no means a result-altering difference for VCU in this game.
Rounding out Illinois's winning effort against the Rams, hometown hero Kylan Boswell earned 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists, and freshman star Keaton Wagler earned 14 points, five rebounds, and two assists.
David Mirkovic, Jake Davis, and Tomislav Ivisic, who made up the rest of the starting lineup for Underwood, combined for 24 points, 19 rebounds, and six assists between the three of them.
On Thursday, March 26, three-seed Illinois and two-seed Houston will face off in the Sweet 16. As of now, the tip-off time and broadcast station have yet to be announced.