Social Media Sounds Off About Illini Women's NCAA Tournament Berth

Illinois earned an eight seed and a first-round matchup with ninth-seeded Creighton on Saturday in Austin, Texas

Illinois' Adalia McKenzie (24) and Kendall Bostic (44) celebrate McKenzie's basket during the Indiana versus Illinois women's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. / Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Whatever Illinois women's basketball coach Shauna Green and her staff are doing, it's working.

The Illini weathered the storm of a 2024-25 season that could have been sunk by injuries and instead went 21-9 (11-7 Big Ten) and, on Selection Sunday, secured their second NCAA Tournament berth in three years under Green.

Illinois earned a No. 8 seed and will play ninth-seeded Creighton (26-6, 16-2 Big East) in Austin, Texas, on Saturday (6:15 p.m., on ESPNews).

Last season Illinois missed the NCAAs but won the inaugural Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament (WBIT).

The Illini's seed for this season's NCAAs might have fallen short of their highest expectations after the team, exhausted and limping to the finish, dropped its last four games. But a span of 16 days between their Big Ten Tournament loss to Nebraska and Saturday's matchup with the Bluejays should do wonders for their energy and preparation as they put their foot to the floor for the final lap of the season.

In the meantime, a Selection Sunday watch party at Memorial Stadium's 77 Club in Champaign drew a crowd, whose eager anticipation quickly turned into revelry shared with the Illini themselves. Many of those who couldn't attend hopped on social media to give their finest takes on the Illinois women, their tournament draw and more. Here are the best of them:

Waiting, watching, wondering ...

Here at Memorial Stadium's 77 Club for NCAA women's basketball Selection Show. #Illini await seed and location for first-round game. Will be second NCAA trip for Shauna Green and Co. in 3 years. pic.twitter.com/mlkxnJZ31I

— Joe Vozzelli Jr. (@JoeVozzelli) March 17, 2025

The moment of truth

See you in Texas, @IlliniWBB 😆

The Fighting Illini are headed to the big dance 🙌#B1GWBBall pic.twitter.com/kZnhd9vLsJ

— Big Ten Women's Basketball (@B1Gwbball) March 17, 2025

Details, details

Expectations of March dancing is a great step for @Shauna_Green and the Illini women!!! Congrats.

— illini Litty (@Illini4ever1980) March 17, 2025

🚨🚨Illinois Women’s Basketball has landed an 8 seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. They will play Creighton on March 22nd. The 1 seed in their portion is Texas.🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/fslRv904I4

— Armchair Illinois (@ArmchairIllini) March 17, 2025

Only 7 schools in the country won a bowl game & had both their men’s and women’s basketball teams make the dance — ELITE #illini pic.twitter.com/04qYNTEPGj

— 𝕮𝖔𝖓𝖓𝖔𝖗 𝕻𝖎𝖑𝖘 (@TheConnorPils) March 17, 2025

For the win(s)

“You can’t win there!” “You’re stupid for taking that job!” Our staff/players….Bet!!!!!! Beyond thankful for them!!! We’re making it look easy and it’s NOT! #OneWay #ILL
3/3 post seasons-2 NCAA’s and a WBIT Championship✅
Avg. 10 wins/season in the B1G✅
Avg. 20 plus wins/yr✅ pic.twitter.com/30PNJqovUj

— Andy Green (@agreen5) March 17, 2025

A little extra swag

Hey @Shauna_Green, like our shirts? pic.twitter.com/zW6g7WEXXl

— Illinois Women's Basketball (@IlliniWBB) March 17, 2025

All in the FamILLy

A night we'll never forget!

Thanks for being there with us, Illini FamILLy 🧡💙 pic.twitter.com/olFkBlThFB

— Illinois Women's Basketball (@IlliniWBB) March 17, 2025

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