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INDIANAPOLIS - Who invited Maryland to join the Big Ten?
The Illinois basketball team sure wishes the Terrapins had stayed in the more geographically logical ACC.
Kevin Willard's guys took a 57-31 lead at halftime and rolled to an 88-65 Big Ten quarterfinal win against Brad Underwood's team Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The 57 points were the second most in a half in the Big Ten tournament the past 15 years.
All that went so well for Illinois in Thursday's romp against Iowa seemed to be turned on its head by the Terrapins.
Maryland sophomore guard Rodney Rice, one of Crab Five averaging in double figures, led the way in the first half with 18 points.
1. Illinois goes into wait mode, with its next game to be announced Sunday afternoon by the NCAA tournament selection committee, which is holed up this weekend in Indianapolis. How convenient.
2. Though the Illinois fan base figures to be morose after Friday's outcome, the season is far from over. Illinois is likely to earn a No. 5, 6 or 7 seed from the committee.
That means a very winnable first-round game, then a battle to advance to the second weekend of the tournament. Considering the up-and-down nature of the current team, it is about the best that could have been expected. Illinois outperformed projections last season and is capable of doing it two years in a row.
3. Big Ten Freshman of the Year Derik Queen wasn't a major factor in the first half because of foul trouble. But he was dominant after intermission. He is a one-and-doner for the Terrapins, on his way to a big check from the NBA. The Illini won't miss him.
4. Back again? Yep. Robbie Hummel and Kevin Kugler were again on the call for BTN on Friday. Right away, as Illinois turned the ball over two times in the first minute, Hummel pointed out Illinois' miscues in the earlier meetings between the teams.
5. An early possession by Maryland's Queen hinted what was to come and prompted praise by Hummel. The big guy seemed to throw the ball to himself off the backboard before scoring his first basket.
6. Hummel liked freshmen on both teams, noting the recent work by Illini newcomer Will Riley.
7. Buckeye Newshawk Award to BTN's Andy Katz, who spotted Michigan coach Dusty May scouting the game. The Wolverines will play Maryland if they beat Purdue in the later quarterfinal. Hummel and Katz both said it is unusual for the head coach to do the scouting. Sure.
8. Credit to Underwood for talking to Katz during the first half with his team trailing by 19. He had put Tomislav Ivisic back in the game despite two early fouls. Katz did his job and asked Why? "The score," Underwood said. Yeah that sounds right.
9. Illinois trailed by 21 with 7:06 left in the first half. Hummel stated the obvious: "Illinois needs to find some answers." None came.
10. Maryland coach Kevin Willard was much happier during his first-half interview. Of course, his team was way up.
It should be no surprise that Maryland is thriving with Willard in charge.
In his final seven seasons at Seton Hall, Willard led the team to sixNCAA tournament appearances.
A year after a rough season (16-17) in College Park, the former Pirates boss has his team rolling. None of the top seeds in the NCAA tournament are going to be happy to see Maryland in their bracket.