Illini now

Social Media Reacts to Illinois Basketball Falling at the Buzzer to Nebraska

The Illini were outclassed at home by the Cornhuskers, and as you might expect, social media had plenty to say about it
Pranav Hegde|
Dec 13, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) drives to the basket during the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Dec 13, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) drives to the basket during the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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Illinois Fighting IlliniNebraska Cornhuskers

No. 13 Illinois didn’t just lose to No. 23 Nebraska on Saturday night – it endured a full emotional roller coaster over 40 minutes. The 83-80 buzzer-beater defeat featured an early onslaught, a pair of gritty Illini rallies and just enough late-game hope to make the ending sting. When the final shot dropped, the State Farm Center went from roaring to silent in an instant, and Illinois fans everywhere were left processing how a game the Illini fought so hard to save slipped away at the very last moment.

Nebraska wasted no time setting the tone, and by “Nebraska” we really mean Pryce Sandfort. The Iowa transfer – or whatever cosmic being Sandfort briefly turned into – came out firing like he had somewhere else to be. He poured in 26 first-half points, torching the Illini from every conceivable angle and helping Nebraska build a comfortable double-digit lead.

And then, mercifully, Illinois woke up. Shot-making finally arrived, the crowd re-engaged and the Illini clawed all the way back to somehow enter halftime tied at 37-37. It felt improbable, confusing and extremely Illinois-coded.

The second half followed a familiar script: Nebraska surged again, Illinois staggered and then refused to go quietly. Keaton Wagler caught fire, calmly knocking down shots and continuing to play like a vet. Andrej Stojakovic added his own flair, spinning through the lane like a Beyblade and finishing at the rim against defenders who looked increasingly unsure about what was happening.

But for all the offensive heroics, the game slipped away on the other end of the floor. Illinois defensive coordinator Camryn Crocker emptied the bag – zone, man, switches, wrinkles – but Nebraska had an answer for all of it. Every look the Illini threw out was met with crisp passing, constant off-ball movement and just enough shot-making to keep the hosts perpetually one stop short. To be fair, Illinois practices daily against an offense that prefers to stand around and watch one player go to work, so facing Nebraska’s motion-heavy attack was like being suddenly dropped into a calculus final after you crammed all night for chemistry.

Still, Illinois did just enough to claw its way to an 80-80 tie late in the game, dangling hope in front of the home crowd one last time. Then, as heartbreaker etiquette demands, Jamarques Lawrence pulled up and buried a three as the horn sounded, instantly draining State Farm Center of all life. The game winner sent social media buzzing – and Illini Nation in particular bumming.

A blizzard never hurt anybody

Another slow start ...

Someone put a hand up!

Stojakovic making plays

Champaign probably won't see another season of Wagler

A tough technical foul

Defense is non-existent

Night-and-day difference in coaching

The definition of staying ready

Ball game

That one hurts

Nebraska has arrived

Published
Pranav Hegde
PRANAV HEGDE

Primarily covers Illinois football, basketball and golf, with an emphasis on news, analysis and features. Hegde, an electrical engineering student at Illinois with an affinity for sports writing, has been writing for On SI since April 2025. He can be followed and reached on Instagram @pranavhegde__.

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