International flavor helping Illinois shine on March Madness stage again

Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) reacts during a game against Xavier in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Friday, March 21, 2025, in Milwaukee.

Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) reacts during a game against Xavier in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Friday, March 21, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)


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MILWAUKEE — Illinois coach Brad Underwood has looked all over the map for players. The result has Illinois one win away from advancing beyond the NCAA Tournament's opening weekend for a second straight year. The sixth-seeded Fighting Illini (22-12) face No. 3 seed Kentucky (23-11) on Sunday for a spot in the Midwest Region semifinals. Illinois has gotten this far with a lineup featuring players from four different countries. The Illini's three leading scorers are all from outside the United States.

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Steve Megargee

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