Illinois (19-11, 11-8 Big Ten) headed into Sunday afternoon’s matchup in Ann Arbor coming off an 81-61 win over Iowa earlier this week, though still just 6-8 in its last 14 games and facing a tall task against a tough-minded No. 15 Michigan (22-7, 14-4 Big Ten) squad.
And after a nationally televised 110-67 routing at the hands of No. 2 Duke just over a week ago, and with the memory still fresh in the minds of those across the college basketball world, it’s safe to say the once highly thought-of Illini came into the Crisler Center with mild expectations.
But after carrying a 31-30 lead into halftime, Illinois coach Brad Underwood’s squad put its foot on the gas and authored arguably its best single-half offensive performance of the season, scoring 62 points after the break en route to a 93-73 statement victory over coach Dusty May’s club – and the ninth straight win for Illinios over Michigan.
And, per usual with an upset in the Big Ten – particularly one delivered in such convincing fashion – a tidal wave of reactions crashed across social media in the aftermath. Here are a few of the best of them:
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg pointed to Illinois’ high ceiling, which was on full display on Sunday afternoon:
If Illinois plays like it did in the second half come tournament time, another deep run is very possible. Excellent rebounding team with the potential to catch fire from 3.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) March 2, 2025
CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli attempted to put in perspective just how much time has passed since the Illini’s last loss against the Wolverines:
It has been 2,243 days since Michigan beat Illinois in a basketball game. We didn’t know what COVID was yet.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) March 2, 2025
While CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein couldn’t hold back from his usual Illinois basketball catchphrase, he also channeled Al Pacino to tell the country that he’s buying back stock on the Illini heading into March:
I hate The Godfather: Part III.
I vow to never mention it.
But Illinois reminds me of Al Pacino in the film.
“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!” https://t.co/w7My1JydTb pic.twitter.com/QOLoYvX9zz
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 2, 2025
Sean Harrington, a former Illini guard turned ESPN analyst, just wants the Big Ten to schedule Illinois vs. Michigan as often as possible:
Illinois needs to get Michigan on the schedule more often. The Wolverines seem to bring out the best of the Illini. Illini completely dominate the glass. That was an area the Illini struggled the last few weeks. Looks like they figured it out.
— Sean Harrington (@smharrington24) March 2, 2025
And the Big Ten Network pointed out Illinois’ high status as just one of four teams to pull off one pretty remarkable feat:
▶️ 1997 Kentucky
▶️ 2004 Pitt
▶️ 2007 North CarolinaIllinois is just the fourth team in the AP poll era, since 1950, with multiple 20+ point ranked road wins. #B1GStats x #B1GMBBall pic.twitter.com/M4I3wDFD9Y
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 3, 2025
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