Illinois plays their first game in the NCCA Tournament Thursday night against the Penn Quakers.
The Illini are (24-8) for the season while Penn is (18-11).
Illinois finished the regular season in the Big 10 at (15-6). They lost their first game in the Big 10 Tournament last week to Wisconsin.
Penn was (11-5) in the Ivy League.
Illinois has made the NCAA Tournament the past 6 years.
If the Illini beat Penn, they would play the winner between North Carolina and VCU on Saturday.
First Four NCAA Basketball Tournament
Wednesday (Dayton, Ohio)
Miami of Ohio 89 SMU 79
**Miami of Ohio plays Tennessee in the Midwest Region
Prairie View A&M 67 LeHigh 55
**Prairie View A&M plays Florida in the South Region
March 18, 2026