COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Process over results tends to be how Illinois sets its tone in the early stages of a season.
But on the final day of the season, it certainly feels like Illinois will take the results despite a disjointed performance on Sunday afternoon, where the Illini narrowly escaped an inspired Terps program, 78-72.
With the win, Illinois clinched a triple bye at next week’s Big Ten tournament in Chicago. Illinois finishes the season 24-7, 15-5 conference record, tying Brad Underwood’s previous
record for conference wins set in 2021.
With a 24th win, Illinois won its most games in a regular season since the 2006 Illinois team.
But in many ways, the regular season will be remembered for two things: the discovery of Keaton Wagler and the almost equal number of breathtaking highs and gutwrenching lows.
Sunday was on the brink of becoming a soul-crushing dud, creating some anxiety heading into the Big Ten Tournament.
Even with a sparse crowd and the tumult of Buzz Williams’ first season as head coach for Maryland, a pesky Terrapins team challenged Illinois until the Terps took their final breath. An energizing run in the first half gave Illinois major problems.
Harnessing the chaos
Illinois’ biggest lead was at eight around halfway through the second half, but just as Illinois could start to get comfortable, Maryland struck back… again.
It became a chaotic, rather scrappy game with bodies flying and eyes being poked; it was clear Maryland wanted to make an emphatic finish to a middling season. The Terps lost their most games conference games in program history. It didn’t feel like that team was playing Illinois.
David Mirkovic became the focal point of Illinois’ offense early, and finding him in the paint became a really nice weapon that may need to be further unlocked as the team moves forward to postseason play. Mirkovic finished the night with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Maryland’s Andre Mills finished the night with 30 points in a full team effort that created some good theatre to finish the season.
Wagler was notthe typical Wagler we’ve come to know and expect. Illinois has benefited from the efforts of the best freshman in program history, but it’s been when Wagler’s struggled that Illinois has struggled and a couple of other key pieces fail to pull their weight.
Andrej Stojakovic made some key plays down the stretch, but after playing one inspiring game just less than a week ago, it seemed he reverted to his old habits. But in the final 26.7 seconds, when it mattered the most, Stojakovic provided enough insurance to extend a lead.
Stojakovic finished the night with eight points, all of them coming in key moments. Meanwhile, Kylan Boswell knocked in 11 points and three assists, although he did get into foul trouble.
After collapsing in a couple of games in the last several weeks, Illinois found a way to gut it out and not collapse. Something they’ll need to take forward to postseason play.
Up Next
Illinois will start a potential Big Ten tournament run in Chicago on Friday, March 13th.
