Terrence Shannon Jr. showcased a stellar performance in Illinois' victory against Maryland, scoring 27 points while shooting 6-for-16 from the field. Shannon's standout display against a top-10 defense was pivotal in securing the Illini's first win at Maryland since 2011.

In a game where late-game offense was crucial, Shannon proved to be the difference-maker by scoring Illinois' final eight points down the stretch, with six of those points coming from the free-throw line. His ability to attack the basket resulted in him tying a career-high of 16 free throw attempts, of which he made an impressive 14.

Shannon's impact extended beyond scoring, as he played a key role in revitalizing Illinois' fastbreak attack. The Illini outscored Maryland 19-2 in fastbreak points during the game, a significant improvement from the average of seven fastbreak points per game in Shannon's absence.

Defensively, Shannon also made his presence felt by contributing four blocks and a steal in his 39 minutes on the court. Despite Jahmir Young's 28-point performance on 23 shots, Shannon's defensive efforts limited Young to only four points in the final five minutes of the game.

With Shannon regaining his pre-suspension form, Illinois confidently relied on his skills to secure a crucial win on Saturday. The Illini have seen a marked improvement in various aspects of their game since Shannon's return, making him an instrumental player in their success.