Illinois defeats Xavier 86-73, advances to NCAA Tournament Round of 32

In a strong performance, the Illinois Fighting Illini defeated Xavier 86-73 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, advancing to face No. 3 seed Kentucky. Freshman Will Riley led Illinois with 22 points, showcasing his skills by making his last eight shots after a slow start. The Illini maintained control of the game, leading for over 33 minutes, and demonstrated effective defense against Xavier's key players. Illinois was particularly impressive at the foul line, going 18 for 18, and out-rebounded Xavier 45-25. Other notable contributions came from Tomislav Ivišić with 20 points and Kasparas Jakučionis, who nearly achieved a triple-double with 16 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds. The victory sets the stage for an exciting matchup against Kentucky on Sunday.