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.

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.

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.