Social Media Reacts to Illinois Basketball's NCAA Tournament Draw

The internet never sleeps – especially on Selection Sunday – so social media was abuzz about the Illini headed into March Madness

Feb 25, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; an Illinois Fighting Illini fan dons a basketball during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images / Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The wait is over. The wait for March Madness. The wait for NCAA Tournament seeding. The wait for the matchups (sort of). Most importantly to some, the wait to learn what this Illinois team (21-12) is truly made of.

Inconsistent doesn't begin to describe the Illini's regular season and conference tournament cameo. Volatile? Getting warmer. Nuclear? Now we're getting somewhere.

And Illini fans should remember: That's OK. These are, largely, teenagers. Still pups. And they're figuring this thing out on the fly. And need Illini Nation be reminded, hand-wringing over the difference between a 5 and a 6 seed is light years away from where the program had been only a decade ago. The times they are a-changin' (for the better).

But the announcement of Illinois receiving a 6 seed, landing in the Midwest region (with games in Milwaukee and Indianapolis through the Elite Eight) and drawing the winner of play-in opponents Texas-Xavier was bound to get a reaction from social media – from good to bad and clownish to icily serious.

What follows is the best Illini-infused material that social media had to offer on college basketball's day of day's:

I wanna be elected

BREAKING 🚨

The City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a new Mayor pic.twitter.com/q3DSFXj4TF

— Barstool Illini (@BarstoolILL) March 16, 2025

The Illini alums weigh in

Illini got the best possible draw. A 6 in Milwaukee against Xavier/Texas, 2 teams that very few people had in the dance.

— Sean Harrington (@smharrington24) March 17, 2025

Let’s hoop! Milwaukee here we come- going to be ORANGE everywhere. #RealHooper ILL https://t.co/hLukC4OZVG

— Coach Dee Brown (@deebrown11) March 16, 2025

Doing the math

Only 7 schools have MBB and WBB dancing AND won a bowl game pic.twitter.com/bX741ss625

— Sidelines - Illinois 🧡💙 (@SSN_ILLINI) March 17, 2025

Illinois is 7-0 vs teams ranked between 15-44 in Kenpom

Kentucky is 17
Xavier is 43
Texas is 44

Let’s make back to back Sweet 16’s

— The BoardRoom (@ILLBoardRoom) March 16, 2025

Welcome to Brad's world

This is the first time Illinois has had to play the winner of a play-in game in the NCAA Tournament and guess what I hate it. I want to know who they're playing. I don't want to wait. Somebody do something about this.

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) March 17, 2025

Let the good times troll

Illinois players to leave and miss the NCAA

Coleman Hawkins

Luke Goode

Sencire Harris

Amani Hansberry

Jayden Epps

— Dariush Takhtehchian, M.D (@takhtehchianmd) March 16, 2025

The analysis is strong in this one

Bout as good of a draw as you could get. Texas/Xavier could definitely beat you but have flaws. Kentucky is really good but banged up. Milwaukee is an easy drive for #Illini fans

— The State of IL Sports (@StateofILSports) March 16, 2025

Movie night

If I’m Brad im making kj, tomi, and will watch the 05 Arizona game on a movie screen in savoy, start to finish , no phones allowed, to show them what it takes in March! #illini #everydayguys #htto #Fightingillini

— DJ Franson (@DjFranson) March 17, 2025

A rematch/crop report

Illinois vs SIUE in the Elite 8 will feed every farmer in America. pic.twitter.com/lwEvTwKn6q

— Steve Snider (@SteveKSnider) March 16, 2025

Remembering a Selection Sunday legend

Happy Selection Sunday to all...won't be the same without Greg Gumbel #illinipic.twitter.com/12Wn1dFPtU

— 🆃ⓐ🅹🅷 ♕ (@Recru1t1ng_Guru) March 16, 2025

More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:

ESPN's Seth Greenberg: Illinois Capable of a Deep NCAA Tournament Run

Plotting Illinois Basketball's Path to a National Championship

Illinois Basketball's NCAA Tournament Seed and Matchup Revealed