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Marcus Foster scored 22 points and Zach Freemantle added 15 while overcoming foul trouble as Xavier rallied past Texas 86-80 in a First Four game at Dayton.

Illinois basketball knocks off Xavier in the first round of the March Madness bracket. Live score, NCAA Tournament highlights from Milwaukee.

The No. 6 Fighting Illini cruised to a 86-73 victory against the No. 11 Musketeers in the opening round of the NCAA tournament inside Fiserv Forum. Illinois advances to Sunday's second round against No. 3 Kentucky, which beat No. 14 Troy earlier Friday.

Fans of the Xavier Musketeers are rallying in support of the men's basketball team as they faces off against Illinois.

No. 6 Illinois battled past a physical No. 11 Xavier in the first round of March Madness on Friday night, 86-73.

It's Illinois basketball vs Xavier in the 2025 March Madness bracket. Here's how to watch the NCAA tournament game, including time, channel, TV.

Getting to practice Thursday was really the first taste of March Madness for a lot of the young Illinois freshman players. They have not been completely whole and healthy for most of the season, so they believe their best basketball is ahead.

The First Four of the 2025 men's NCAA Tournament has finished, ending with a thriller in Dayton as (11) Xavier rallied from a 13-point deficit to beat (11) Texas 86-80. (16) Mount St. Mary's ...