NCAA TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND PREVIEW: The Misery of Facing Friends in March Madness

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and Pennsylvania head coach Fran McCaffrey have been close friends for decades and would obviously not face each other in a NCAA Tournament setting.

ILLINOIS vs. PENNSYLVANIA

Records: Illinois 24-8, 15-5 in Big Ten Conference; Pennsylvania 18-11, 9-5 in Ivy League

Date/Time/Place: Thursday March 19, 2026: 8:25 p.m. CST, Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina

Capacity: 15,000

ODDS: Illinois by 25.5

Series notes: Illinois leads 6-0. Illinois has never lost to Penn in the previous six times the two programs have face . . .

 

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Podcasts

574 Mirk & the Illini Roll Over Penn 105-70

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573 The 2026 NCAA Tournament Show

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572 Illini Lose Big Lead vs Badgers

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3.13.26 Wagler All-B1G & All-American & Sturdy Fires Up Underwood

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571 Illini "Smash" the Terps

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3.6.26 Illini Hoops Update & March Madness Begins

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570 Illini Feast on Ducks

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2.27.26 - Reaction to Illini Loss to Michigan, Deon Thomas & More

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569 Illini Fall to B1G Champs 84-70

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568 Illini Hoops Update

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567 Illini Fall to Bruins 95-94 in OT

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2.20.26 - Illini Men's & Women's Hoops Update

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566 Illini Slay Trojans

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565 Illini Defeat Hoosiers 71-51 in Boswell’s Return

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2.13.26 - Illini Hoops Update, Hauck new DC & Pete Babcock

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