VCU beat writer breaks down the keys to tonight's game between the Rams and the Fighting Illini.Â
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VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. shoots a 3-pointer over North Carolina defenders during Thursday night's first-round game of the NCAA tournament in Greenville, S.C. Hill exploded for 34 points as VCU recorded the largest comeback win in an NCAA tournament first-round game.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. attempts to work around North Carolina forward Jonathan Powell (11) during Thursday night's first-round game of the NCAA tournament in Greenville, S.C. Hill exploded for 34 points as VCU recorded the largest comeback win in an NCAA tournament first-round game.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU fans cheer during the the Rams' first-round game of the NCAA tournament against North Carolina on Thursday. VCU has spent at least $5 million on its men's basketball team this year, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported last month.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU forward Jadrian Tracey (2) defends as North Carolina forward Jarin Stevenson (15) looks to pass during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
PHOTOS: VCU pulls off historic NCAA tournament comeback win over North Carolina
VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) shoots the ball over North Carolina forward Jonathan Powell (11) during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU head coach Phil Martelli Jr. disagrees with a call during the first round of the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU president Michael Rao cheers for his team during the first round of the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. defends the ball during the first round of the NCAA tournament against North Carolina.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU forward Lazar Djokovic (17) and North Carolina center Henri Veesaar (13) fight for the ball during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. exploded for 34 points as the Rams overcame a 19-point deficit in the second half to advance past North Carolina in the NCAA tournament.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU fans cheer after winning the first round of the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) and North Carolina center Henri Veesaar (13) box each other out during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
Guard Brandon Jennings reacts after VCU completed its comeback victory over North Carolina in Greenville, S.C., on Thursday.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU forward Michael Belle (8) is boxed out by North Carolina forward Jarin Stevenson (15) during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
Members of The Peppas celebrate after VCU won the first round of the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU guard Tyrell Ward (15) drives with the ball, defended by North Carolina center Henri Veesaar (13) during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. shoots a 3-pointer over North Carolina defenders during Thursday night's first-round game of the NCAA tournament in Greenville, S.C. Hill exploded for 34 points as VCU recorded the largest comeback win in an NCAA tournament first-round game.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU cheerleaders perform on the court during the first round of the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
A VCU cheerleader performs on court during the first round of the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU forward Michael Belle (8) brings the ball up the court during the first round of the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU fans hold up signs during the first round of the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
A VCU fan holds up a sign during the first round of the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) drives past North Carolina forward Jonathan Powell (11) during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU forward Lazar Djokovic (17) shoots the ball over North Carolina center Henri Veesaar (13) during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU dance team members perform during the first round of the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU dance team members run on the court during the first round of the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
North Carolina center Henri Veesaar (13) celebrates during the first round of the NCAA Tournament against VCU at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) defends the ball from North Carolina forward Jonathan Powell (11) during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU guard Brandon Jennings (0) brings the ball up the court during the first round of the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
A VCU dance team member performs on the court during the first round of the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. attempts to work around North Carolina forward Jonathan Powell (11) during Thursday night's first-round game of the NCAA tournament in Greenville, S.C. Hill exploded for 34 points as VCU recorded the largest comeback win in an NCAA tournament first-round game.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU head coach Phil Martelli Jr. yells to his players during the first round of the NCAA tournament against North Carolina.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU forward Lazar Djokovic (17) drives with the ball, defended by North Carolina center Henri Veesaar (13) during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU forward Lazar Djokovic works around North Carolina center Henri Veesaar during Thursday's game in Greenville, S.C. The 19-point comeback was the largest in the history of the NCAA men's tournament first round.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU forward Lazar Djokovic (17) shoots over North Carolina center Henri Veesaar (13) during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) defends the ball from North Carolina forward Jonathan Powell (11) during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU guard Nyk Lewis (1) shoots the ball during the first round of the NCAA Tournament against North Carolina at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU forward Lazar Djokovic shoots over North Carolina center Henri Veesaar on Thursday night. Djokovic scored 15 points as the Rams advanced to the second round.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU fans cheer during the the Rams' first-round game of the NCAA tournament against North Carolina on Thursday. VCU has spent at least $5 million on its men's basketball team this year, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported last month.
- MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU forward Jadrian Tracey (2) defends as North Carolina forward Jarin Stevenson (15) looks to pass during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
North Carolina center Henri Veesaar (13) celebrates during the first round of the NCAA Tournament against VCU at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF,TIMES-DISPATCH
VCU forward Barry Evans (5) brings the ball up the court, defended by North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) drives past North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
VCU forward Lazar Djokovic (17) shoots the ball past North Carolina center Henri Veesaar (13) during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
- MIKE KROPF
