University of Illinois
2-0,0-0Big Ten
Penn
0-1,0-0Ivy League
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn | 30 | 40 | 70 |
| Illinois | 53 | 59 | 112 |
November 5, 2026 | Men's Basketball
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Six Illini scored in double figures led by a game-high 25 from Andrej Stojakovic, as the No. 3-ranked Fighting Illini (2-0) overpowered the Penn Quakers (0-1), 112-70, on Thursday night at State Farm Center.
Stojakovic poured in 21 in the first half, keeping the Illini in control of close contest early in the game. With the Orange and Blue staking to a 23-22 edge midway through the first period, the Illini blew the game open with an 18-1 run – punctuated by a trio of breakaway dunks in a 36-second span from Zvonimir Ivisic, Stojakovic, and Stefan Vaaks.
Illinois held Penn to just eight points on 3-for-20 shooting over the final 10 minutes to build a 53-30 lead at the break, and the Illini never looked back.
Behind Stojakovic, five newcomers reached double-figures scoring.
Freshman Ethan Brown posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while adding five assists. Classmates Quentin Coleman (19 points) and Zavier Zens (18) each joined Brown in reaching double-digit points for the second straight game to begin their college careers. Freshman Lincoln Williams added 12 points and pulled down nine boards, earning a start in his college debut after missing Monday's opener vs. FDU, and sophomore Vaaks chipped in with 11 points and six boards.
The Illini recorded assists on 21 of 43 baskets, led by a career-high seven helpers from Tomislav Ivisic, and dominated the glass to the tune of a 62-33 advantage.
Next up, the Fighting Illini face their first road test of the season at #19 Texas Tech. Tipoff vs. the Red Raiders is set for 7 p.m. CT (Peacock/NBCSN) in Lubbock, Texas..
HIGHLIGHTS
PRESS CONFERENCE
POSTGAME NOTES
PLAYER NOTES
- Andrej Stojakovic paced the Illini in scoring with 25 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out four assists, and blocked one shot.
- Recording his second-straight 20-point game to open the season and now has 10 games of 20+ points in his Illinois career, the most among active Illini.
- Poured in 21 points in the first half.
- Scored in double figures for the second-consecutive game and the 21st time in his Illini career.
- Recording his second-straight 20-point game to open the season and now has 10 games of 20+ points in his Illinois career, the most among active Illini.
- Quentin Coleman tallied 19 points shooting an efficient 8-for-9 from the floor with three rebounds, two assists and a steal.
- Reached double-figures scoring for the second straight game to begin his collegiate career after a 13-point effort in his debut Monday vs. FDU.
- Scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting.
- Zavier Zens poured in 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting from the floor going 4-for-8 from deep and secured one rebound.
- Knocked down multiple 3-pointers for the second straight game to begin his Illinois career.
- Tomislav Ivisic facilitated the Illini offense with a team-high seven assists, blocked a team-most three shots, grabbed three rebounds and scored two points.
- His seven assists are a career high.
- Lincoln Williams added 12 points on 4-for-5 shooting from the field making his lone 3-pointer, brought in nine rebounds, had one block and one steal.
- Started in his collegiate debut in place of Jake Davis after missing Monday's opener.
- Ethan Brown scored 13 ponts on 4-for-5 shooting going 3-for-4 from behind the arc, corralled a team-high 10 rebounds and dished out five assists.
- Recorded his first-career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
- Brown narrowly missed a double-double in his debut Monday vs. FDU with 12 points and nine rebounds.
- Recorded his first-career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
- Stefan Vaaks tallied 11 points, brought in six rebounds, had a team-most two steals and had a pair of assists.
- Scored in double figures in back-to-back games to begin his Illini career after pouring in 20 in the opener vs. FDU on Monday.
- Zvonimir Ivisic secured nine rebounds, scored six points, dished out two assists, and blocked a shot.
TEAM NOTES
- Illinois has started 2-0 for the ninth straight season under head coach Brad Underwood.
- The Illini improved to 8-0 in the all-time series with Penn and picked up their second win over the Quakers in 2026 after a 105-70 victory in Round 1 of the NCAA Tournament last March in Greenville, S.C.
- Illinois has won three straight games at State Farm Center, overall, and 10 straight home games against nonconference opponents.
- Illinois improved to 18-0 under Brad Underwood when scoring more than 100 points.
- Illinois blew the game open with an 18-1 run in the first half, holding the Quakers without a field goal for nearly 6 minutes (0-10 FGs).
- Illinois outrebounded Penn 62-33 with a 47-17 advantage on the defensive end.
- The Illini dominated the paint outscoring the Quakers 66-28.
