Quick hits | No. 10 Illinois 101, USC 65

LOS ANGELES — Andrej Stojakovic needed only 18 minutes to remind the college basketball world why he matters to No. 10 Illinois. Returning from a one-game layoff after tweaking an ankle, the sophomore guard torched USC for 22 points on pristine efficiency, pacing the Illini to a 101-65 demolition of the Trojans on Wednesday night at the Galen Center.

The 36-point margin is the largest for Illinois in a Big Ten road game during the modern era and improved the Illini to 22-5 overall, 13-3 in conference play. Six other Illinois players joined Stojakovic in double figures, underscoring the depth that has the program eyeing a deep March run.

USC, already clinging to the fringes of the NCAA tournament picture, was without two of its top contributors—one lost for the season, the other sidelined for a third straight game. Even on their home floor, the short-handed Trojans had no answer for Illinois’ balanced attack or the orange-and-blue-clad contingent that made up a healthy portion of the 7,327 in attendance.

“We got off to a great start, and it’s always nice to do that on the road,” Illini coach Brad Underwood said. “A night (that has) seven guys in double figures—I don’t know how often that happens. You don’t get (36-point) road wins in conference play, or any time, but we played well.”

The victory opens a two-game California swing for Illinois, which will remain in Los Angeles before facing UCLA at 7 p.m. Saturday in Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins, reeling from back-to-back blowout losses in Michigan, will be looking to regroup after a trip that produced more viral frustration for coach Mick Cronin.

Illinois will have two full days to prepare for a UCLA squad that sits 17-9 overall and 9-6 in the Big Ten.