The University of Pennsylvania's run in March Madness hit a rough patch, and not just on the scoreboard. The No. 14 seed Quakers faced a tough defeat, falling 105-70 to the No. 3 seed Illinois in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. While the first half saw Penn holding their own, the second half turned into a one-sided affair with Illinois pulling away significantly.
But the real buzz from this game wasn't just about the scoreline. It was the Penn students who stirred up controversy with a chant directed at the Illinois team: “That’s okay, that’s okay, you’re going to work for us someday.” This sparked a wave of backlash across social media, as fans and commentators alike criticized the chant for its disrespectful tone.
One social media user pointed out, “This isn’t savage. It’s distasteful.
Penn students shifted to classism because their team lost a basketball game.” Another added, “Can’t be more arrogant & unattractive while lacking any sense of sportsmanship while losing.”
The sentiment was echoed by others who highlighted the irony, noting Illinois' strong academic reputation, especially in business and engineering.
Despite the off-court drama, Illinois' performance on the court was nothing short of impressive. Key players Kylan Boswell, David Mirkovic, and Keaton Wagler combined for a whopping 60 points, showcasing their skill and determination.
Their victory sets up an exciting matchup against No. 11 seed VCU, with tipoff scheduled for 7:50 p.m. ET.
The Fighting Illini are aiming for a spot in the Sweet 16, a feat they’ve achieved once in the past three years.
As the tournament progresses, Illinois fans will be hoping their team can maintain this momentum, while Penn will likely reflect on both their performance and the behavior of their supporters.