Illinois' Hot Hand From Deep Overwhelms Maryland in Big Ten Clash
CHAMPAIGN, IL - Maryland walked into a buzzsaw Wednesday night in Champaign, where No. 11 Illinois caught fire from beyond the arc and never looked back. The Fighting Illini knocked down 15 three-pointers and used a dominant first-half run to pull away for an 89-70 win over the Terps, who now sit at 8-11 overall and 1-7 in Big Ten play.
This one turned quickly, and it turned hard. After a promising start from Maryland - who led by as many as five midway through the first half - Illinois flipped the script with a 21-2 run that cracked the game wide open. By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, the Illini had built a 17-point lead, and Maryland never seriously threatened again.
David Coit Stays Hot
Coming off a 43-point explosion against Penn State, David Coit didn’t quite match that scoring frenzy, but he still brought the heat. Coit finished with 15 points and five assists, continuing a stretch of strong play that’s seen him rack up 88 points over his last three games. He also added to his season total from deep, now sitting at 53 made threes - tied for the third-most in the Big Ten.
Coit’s scoring punch has been one of the few constants for Maryland during a tough stretch. His ability to create off the dribble and stretch defenses with his range gives the Terps a fighting chance in most games, but on a night when Illinois was drilling threes like layups, even Coit’s efforts weren’t enough to keep pace.
Andre Mills Steps Up
Freshman Andre Mills continues to show flashes of real promise. He tied his career high with 16 points, including a career-best four three-pointers, all coming in a strong second-half showing. It marked his ninth career game in double figures - a sign that he’s starting to find his rhythm as a reliable scoring option.
Mills’ confidence from deep was a bright spot for Maryland, especially in a game where Illinois’ perimeter shooting was the difference. His willingness to step into big shots and knock them down is exactly what this team needs as it looks to build some consistency during a grueling Big Ten slate.
Solomon Washington’s Double-Double Effort
Solomon Washington brought the energy - and the highlight reel. His thunderous dunk early in the second half was one of Maryland’s few momentum plays, and he backed it up with a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double. It was his third of the season and the fifth of his career, and he led the Terps on the glass in a game where rebounding was a major point of emphasis.
Washington’s physicality and motor continue to be a cornerstone for Maryland, especially in matchups against bigger, more athletic frontcourts like Illinois. His presence inside helped keep the Terps competitive on the boards, even as Illinois’ size and depth eventually wore them down.
Illinois' Long-Range Barrage
The story of the night, though, was Illinois’ shooting. The Illini drilled 15 threes, with Andrej Stojakovic leading the charge.
He poured in 30 points and was nearly unstoppable during Illinois' first-half surge. Eleven of Illinois’ first 22 points came from Stojakovic, and he never cooled off.
That 21-2 run late in the first half was the turning point. Maryland had been trading punches early, even leading 24-19 after a 7-0 run sparked by a deep three from Aleks Alston. But once Illinois found its rhythm from deep, the Terps simply couldn’t match the firepower.
Buzz Williams’ Take
Head coach Buzz Williams didn’t sugarcoat it. “I thought we did a lot of good things, but you have to be even better than good to win on the road against No. 11 Illinois,” he said postgame.
Williams pointed to a better second half in terms of turnovers and rebounding, but also acknowledged the foul trouble and missed free throws that hurt Maryland’s chances. “They’re the tallest team in the country. Their skill set is tremendous and the job they do on the offensive glass is impressive,” he added.
With three games this week - two of them on the road and all against ranked opponents - Williams made it clear that this stretch is a test of character. “I think real players and real coaches, that’s what they want to do. That’s what it is to compete at this level.”
By the Numbers:
- 3: Double-doubles this season for Solomon Washington
- 4: Career-high threes made by Andre Mills
- 16: Career-high points tied by Mills
- 53: Coit’s made threes this season, tied for third in the Big Ten
- 167: Maryland’s total made threes this season, seventh-most in the Big Ten
- 239: Offensive rebounds by Maryland this year, fourth in the Big Ten
- 338: Free throws made by Maryland, second-most in the conference
What’s Next
Maryland’s road trip doesn’t get any easier. The Terps head to East Lansing next to face No.
10 Michigan State on January 24. Tipoff is set for 12 PM ET, with coverage on CBS and the Maryland Sports Radio Network.
This stretch is a gauntlet, no doubt. But it’s also an opportunity - for Coit to keep building his case as one of the Big Ten’s top guards, for Mills to continue his emergence, and for Maryland to prove it can hang with the conference’s elite.