Maryland Defeats Illinois 88-65, Advances to Big Ten Semifinals

In a dominant performance, No. 2 seed Maryland defeated No. 7 seed Illinois 88-65 in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals, marking the Terps' first semifinal appearance since 2016. Maryland's Jahmir Young led the way with a game-high 26 points, setting a school record for three-pointers in a conference tournament game with seven. The Terps displayed exceptional execution, committing only three turnovers while forcing 17 from Illinois, leading to a significant advantage in points off turnovers. Meanwhile, Illinois struggled offensively, shooting just 31.3% and turning the ball over 11 times in the first half, which head coach Brad Underwood cited as a major issue. Following this loss, Illinois will shift its focus to the upcoming NCAA tournament. Maryland will advance to face No. 3 seed Michigan in the semifinals on March 15.