Illinois Dominates Penn State 91-52 Despite Key Player’s Absence

The University of Illinois men’s basketball team (12-3, 4-1 Big Ten) delivered a commanding 91-52 victory over Penn State on Wednesday night at State Farm Center. Despite the absence of star freshman due to a left forearm injury, the Illini showcased their depth and resilience in their first home game of 2025.

Freshman forward Morez Johnson Jr. stole the spotlight with a career-high 20 points and 11 rebounds, earning his second double-double of the season. Johnson’s dominance in the paint, including multiple two-handed slams, energized the Champaign crowd. “This kid plays really hard,” said graduate student forward Ben Humrichous. “He battles every day at practice.”

Junior guard Tre White continued his strong form, scoring 20 points on 7-12 shooting. White, who is second on the team in field goal percentage (56.3%), has been a consistent contributor since the start of Big Ten play. “Tre just found 20 again,” said head coach Brad Underwood. “We didn’t really run a play to him. It’s just a gift.”

Ben Humrichous also shined, scoring 21 points, including 19 in the first half. The graduate student forward shot 5-9 from beyond the arc, igniting the crowd with his hot shooting. “It’s almost identical to the Marcus footprint,” Underwood said, comparing Humrichous’ recent surge to former Illini standout Marcus Domask.

Defensively, Illinois stifled Penn State, holding their leading scorer to 0-6 from the field. Junior guard Kylan Boswell, despite struggling offensively, made a significant impact with three steals and solid perimeter defense. Sophomore center Tomislav Ivišić also contributed defensively, with Underwood praising his communication and presence in the paint.

The Illini’s balanced attack and defensive intensity set the tone early, allowing them to build a comfortable lead and cruise to a 39-point victory. With multiple players stepping up in the absence of their star freshman, Illinois demonstrated why they remain a formidable contender in the Big Ten.