Social Media Sounds Off as Maryland Drubs Illinois in Big Ten Tournament

Illinois went into Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Friday with nothing short of blood-red revenge and a Big Ten Tournament championship on its mind. Facing No. 2 seed Maryland, which conked the Illini 91-70 in Champaign earlier this season, No. 7 seed Illinois had no shortage of motivation.
But seven minutes and four Rodney Rice threes deep into the game, the Illini found themselves facing a 22-10 deficit – and things somehow still went downhill from there in an 88-65 decimation.
By halftime, Illinois (21-12) wasn't just staring at the back of Maryland (25-7) – the Illini could barely make out the Terrapins sprinting away miles ahead of them. A second half that saw Illinois outscore Maryland had to count for a moral victory – the tiniest sliver of a silver lining in a 23-point defeat.
With Maryland experiencing the highest of highs and Illinois the dankest and grimmest of lows, fans and college basketball personalities couldn’t help but turn to social media to gloat, cope, gawk and, above all, be heard.
Here are a few of their best reactions:
Maryland Has Always Had Illinois’ Number
Maybe Maryland is just a really bad matchup for Illinois...
— JBR Bracketology (@JBRBracketology) March 14, 2025
For the 9th year in a row. pic.twitter.com/WLolMA5HLz
Illini Fans Reminiscing on … Yesterday
Having drastically less fun than yesterday
— Barstool Illini (@BarstoolILL) March 15, 2025
Terrapins Looking Like One of the Best Teams in America
Maryland hammers Illinois, 88-65, in a game that was not that close. Maryland's best performance in a long time. Terps play Michigan or Purdue tomorrow.
— Jeff Ermann (@Jeff_Ermann) March 15, 2025
Agreed
Illinois status: down bad https://t.co/i1S5OxfBUi
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 14, 2025
Turned Off a While Ago
The Illini are off the main screen. Tough scene.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) March 15, 2025
Not Even Sure What This Implies, But ... Yes?
What Maryland is doing to Illinois is illegal in 6 states
— T3 Bracketology™️🏀 (@T3Bracketology) March 14, 2025
An Understatement for Illini Fans
All Illini fans right now. pic.twitter.com/yG8MRQN5rW
— Scott Greene (@TerrapinNation) March 14, 2025
Death, Taxes and a Jon Rothstein Tagline
College Park.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 15, 2025
The Spring Break capital of the Northeast.
What Could’ve Been If the Illini Had Just Hit 10 More Threes
30-0 run would only put Illinois down by two pic.twitter.com/RlnGup8GYm
— ᗩᑎT ᗯᖇIGᕼT (@itsAntWright) March 15, 2025