Social media reacts to Illinois outclassing Michigan basketball on Sunday afternoon

No. 15 Michigan men's basketball has picked a poor time to play bad basketball. But that's what the Wolverines have done lately, even if they have pulled out a couple of close wins. Michigan continues to play with its food and eventually it's going to come back to bite it. The maize and blue came out playing right with Illinois in the first 20 minutes and a late score pulled Michigan within one at half.

But the second half was all Illinois on Michigan's senior day. Dusty May's squad looked lackadaisical on the court and the only player who appeared to care was Vlad Goldin. The Michigan big man led the way with 22 points, but the former FAU star couldn't do it all. Danny Wolf and Tre Donaldson both had poor outings once again. Donaldson struggeld with his shot, Wolf wasn't aggressive and had turnover issues. But the most glaring problem on Sunday was the rebounding total.

Michigan has been struggling to rebound consistently and that reared its ugly head against Illinois. Like clockwork, the Illini would miss their 3-point attempt, gain the offensive rebounds, and score a bucket. Illinois out-rebounded Michigan, 43-32, and gained 19 offensive rebounds which turned into 30 second-chance points.

After a 93-73 loss to Illinois, Michigan dropped to 22-7 (14-3) and its chances of winning the regular season Big Ten title have gone down substantially. Following the home loss to Illinois, here's what social media had to say.

Illinois is a Little Girl With A Curl team. When the Illini are good (like today, romping in Ann Arbor) they're very good. When they're bad (like losing by 43 to Duke), they're horrid.

Thirteen games this season winning or losing by 20-plus, and this might be the 14th.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) March 2, 2025

BIG WIN FOR THE ILLINI 🙌

Illinois puts up a complete performance to take down No. 15 Michigan 👀 pic.twitter.com/t2jJEW9mhO
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 2, 2025

Humbling home defeat for Michigan.

Illinois' spacing, offensive rebounding and defensive scheme just dominated Michigan.

Numbers have always said that U-M wasn't as good as other title contenders, now they need to win out to share it -- Maryland and at MSU. pic.twitter.com/rIbDMx6N6f
— Dylan Burkhardt (@umhoops) March 2, 2025

If Illinois plays like it did in the second half come tournament time, another deep run is very possible. Excellent rebounding team with the potential to catch fire from 3.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) March 2, 2025

FINAL: Illinois 93, Michigan 73

Wolverines fall to 22-7, 14-4 in Big Ten play. Will likely need to win out to grab a share of the regular season title.

But that is the least of their issues at the moment.
— Anthony Broome (@anthonytbroome) March 2, 2025

Illinois Basketball.

Here Comes The Paign.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 2, 2025

It has been 2,243 days since Michigan beat Illinois in a basketball game. We didn't know what COVID was yet.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) March 2, 2025

NGL after the last two seasons

I’m just grateful to be back in this position

Bounce back against Maryland 😎 pic.twitter.com/m6o4pejU1n
— THE RED RANGER (@THEREDRANGER3) March 2, 2025

Brutal effort
— Ó Ruairc (@MIMD2OO5) March 2, 2025

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