Maryland ended a run of futility in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals and advanced to Saturday’s semifinal for the first time since 2016.

The Illini entered a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal matchup against No. 2 seed Maryland on a four-game winning streak that included total domination at Michigan, a steely comeback against Purdue and a 106-point binge against Iowa on Thursday. They’re also healthy and whole again — finally — and had started to seem mighty dangerous.

Rodney Rice scored 26 points, Derik Queen had 19 points and 10 rebounds and No. 11 Maryland routed No. 24 Illinois 88-65 on Friday night in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.

Midway through the second half of Friday night’s Big Ten tournament quarterfinal, Maryland guard Rodney Rice slipped and remained on the court for a few moments, grabbing at his right leg. But with the shot clock winding down,

Rodney Rice scored 18 of his game-high 26 points in the first nine minutes Friday night and second-seeded Maryland emphatically advanced to the semifinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament by routing seventh-seeded Illinois 88-65 in Indianapolis.