GREENVILLE, S.C. (Interstat) — A surging Ivy League champion meets a battle-tested power conference team when the Penn Quakers face the No. 8-seed Illinois Fighting Illini in an NCAA Tournament first-round game Thursday at the Bi-Lo Center.

Penn (18-11), which earned an automatic bid by winning the Ivy League tournament, rides a six-game winning streak into its first NCAA appearance since 2018. The Quakers’ run was fueled by a historic performance from sophomore forward TJ Power, who poured in 44 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in an 88-84 overtime victory at Yale in the conference title game on March 15.

Power, averaging 26.2 points over his last five games, has emerged as a breakout star. He will need another monumental effort against an Illinois (24-8) squad favored by 21.5 points, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

The Fighting Illini, an at-large selection from the Big Ten, seeks to rebound from a 91-88 overtime loss to Wisconsin in the conference tournament quarterfinals on March 13. Illinois is led by guard Keaton Wagler, who averages 16.3 points and 5.2 assists. Wagler scored 19 points with eight assists in the loss to the Badgers.

The matchup pits Penn’s momentum against Illinois’ pedigree and strength of schedule. The Quakers’ record includes a 12-2 mark in Ivy League play, but their nonconference schedule lacked the rigor of Illinois’, which faced six AP Top 25 teams in February alone.

Penn’s supporting cast includes Cam Thrower, who scored 19 points against Yale, and AJ Levine, who dished out six assists in that game. Illinois counters with a balanced attack featuring David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic, who combined for 36 points in the Wisconsin game.

The game’s over/under is set at 149.5 points. Penn’s next scheduled game would be against VCU on Saturday, also in Greenville, should it advance.

Thursday’s winner will advance to face the winner of the game between No. 1-seed Alabama and No. 16-seed Norfolk State in the second round on Saturday.