Illinois Dominates Maryland With Eighth Straight Win

No. 11 Illinois continued its impressive march through the Big Ten with a dominant 89-70 victory over Maryland at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois, on January 21, 2026. The win, which marked Illinois’ eighth in a row, matched the longest streak under head coach Brad Underwood, a feat last accomplished during the 2020-21 campaign. With this result, the Fighting Illini improved to 16-3 overall and 7-1 in conference play, solidifying their position near the top of both the league and national rankings.

Illinois entered the contest as heavy favorites, boasting the nation’s top offensive efficiency and ranking eighth in the NCAA’s NET rankings. Even without their second-leading scorer, senior guard Kylan Boswell—who was sidelined with a right hand fracture suffered in practice just two days prior—the Illini showed no signs of slowing down. Boswell, averaging 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, is expected to return in mid-February, but his absence didn’t faze the home team one bit.

On the other side, Maryland arrived in Champaign fresh off its first Big Ten win of the season, a 96-73 home triumph over Penn State. However, the Terrapins’ struggles against ranked opponents persisted, as they dropped to 8-11 overall and 1-7 in conference play. All seven of Maryland’s Big Ten losses have now come by double digits, and their woes on the road continued, with a 1-5 record in true away games.

The game began with a surprising twist: Maryland came out firing, hitting six of their first seven shots and holding a lead through the opening 15 minutes. Diggy Coit provided the early spark, knocking down his first three attempts and giving the Terrapins hope that an upset might be brewing. But the optimism was short-lived. Illinois’ vaunted offense, ranked second in the Big Ten, suddenly roared to life, unleashing a devastating 25-4 run that flipped the script and put the Illini up by 17 points before halftime.

Maryland’s hot shooting quickly evaporated, as the team connected on just four of their next 21 attempts before the break. The Terrapins’ offense, which has struggled all season, found little rhythm, and the absence of star big man Pharrel Payne—still sidelined with a right leg injury suffered in mid-December—was painfully apparent. Head coach Buzz Williams, in his first season at the helm in College Park, acknowledged the mismatch after the game. “The skill set is tremendous,” Williams said of Illinois. “Their skill allows them to play all over the floor. That’s why we were doing some things that we haven’t this season, until tonight.”

Illinois’ size and depth overwhelmed Maryland from start to finish. Four Illini players stand 6-foot-9 or taller, including the imposing 7-foot twins Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic, and their presence on the glass was relentless. Illinois grabbed 15 offensive rebounds, turning those extra possessions into 20 second-chance points—a margin that proved insurmountable for the visitors. Williams admitted, “Obviously, the Terps this year can’t replicate [their size]. The size is daunting, but the size is daunting before the ball is shot, and the size is daunting after the ball is shot.”

Despite missing Boswell, Illinois found a new hero in Andrej Stojakovic. The California transfer, and son of former NBA sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic, erupted for a season-high 30 points, including four made three-pointers. Remarkably, Stojakovic had entered the night shooting just 23.4% from deep on the season, but he found his range when it mattered most. Illinois as a team hit 15 threes, outpacing Maryland’s 10 and stretching the defense to its breaking point. Four Illini players finished in double figures, underscoring the team’s balanced attack and adaptability.

For Maryland, the silver linings were few but notable. Redshirt freshman Andre Mills provided a spark off the bench, pouring in a team-high 16 points—all in the second half—and connecting on four of five three-point attempts. Solomon Washington also stepped up in Payne’s absence, tallying 13 points and a team-leading 10 rebounds, though his struggles at the free throw line (3-for-8) limited his overall impact. Diggy Coit, who needed a “video-game-like” performance to keep the Terps close, finished with 15 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Myles Rice and Isaiah Watts, both expected to contribute more, combined for just 6 points and two steals, while Darius Adams and Elijah Saunders cooled off after a strong outing against Penn State, combining for only 10 points on inefficient shooting.

Illinois’ defensive prowess was on full display, as they held Maryland to just 70 points and stifled any hopes of a second-half comeback. The Terrapins never got closer than 15 points after halftime, and the Illini’s control of the glass and perimeter left Maryland searching for answers. The lopsided nature of the contest was emblematic of the teams’ respective seasons: Illinois is surging, while Maryland is still searching for consistency amid injuries and a new coaching regime.

The historical context added another layer of significance to the night. Illinois, previously 8-17 all-time against Maryland and having lost five of the last six meetings, finally turned the tables on their Big Ten rivals. Last season, the Terrapins swept both matchups, including a 91-70 blowout in Champaign and an 88-65 win in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals. Brad Underwood, whose record against Maryland stood at a disappointing 3-9 before the game, finally found a formula that worked, erasing recent frustrations and moving his team one step closer to a conference title chase.

For Maryland, the loss only compounds the challenges ahead. With back-to-back games looming against No. 10 Michigan State and No. 4 Purdue, the Terrapins’ path doesn’t get any easier. Buzz Williams faces tough decisions about his rotation and how to coax more consistency out of a roster that’s been battered by injuries and up-and-down performances. As Williams put it, “Regardless of their size, their skill allows them to play all over the floor.”

Illinois, meanwhile, is riding high. With their best 19-game start since the 2008-09 season and their best Big Ten opening since 2004-05, the Illini are making a strong case as one of the nation’s elite. Even with Boswell sidelined, the depth and talent on display against Maryland suggest this team has the pieces to make a deep postseason run.

As the final buzzer sounded at State Farm Center, Illinois fans could savor a statement win and a share of history. The Illini’s eighth straight victory not only matched a program benchmark, but it also signaled that, regardless of adversity, this squad is built to last. For Maryland, the search for answers continues, with the hope that brighter days—and better health—are still ahead.