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LOOK: Ohio State star EJ Liddell responds to Illinois fans following big win

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•02/25/22•

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Ohio State forward E.J. Liddell helped propel the Buckeyes over Illinois. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Thursday night’s game between Ohio State and Illinois was a homecoming of sorts for Buckeyes star EJ Liddell. He grew up in Belleville, Ill. — just outside St. Louis — and he got to see some friends and some family in Champaign.

But Friday, he took to Twitter to respond to criticism from Fighting Illini fans. In a four-part Twitter thread, he said some were “disrespectful” during the game, an 86-83 Ohio State victory.

“Great environment I loved the boos and the chants, they made me feel special,” Liddell wrote, in part. “But I can’t even explain how rude and disrespectful some fans were. Know your place. I have no hard feelings with that university but man y’all are crazy as hell if you think you can just talk to an athlete any kind of way. I play basketball everyday with a smile on my face.

“If you hate me for that, I don’t know what to say. Makes me wonder how some of y’all treat others. Y’all can’t take me out my element. Love me some good trash talk, and the chants ‘EJ Sucks’ cause at the time I was 0/3. Wasn’t playing the best at the beginning lol. Happy my family didn’t get a chance to make it due to the weather but man I’m glad they only heard things that was said through TV.

“All aside I had a great time! Some fans just need to get over that I didn’t pick their school.”

Liddell held an offer from Illinois out of Belleville West High School, but wound up choosing Ohio State. It certainly worked out for him as he leads the Buckeyes with 19.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game this season. But Fighting Illini fans are still left wondering what could’ve been as he shines for the Buckeyes and has them in the thick of a wild Big Ten race.

In fact, Liddell almost didn’t play. He was questionable because he was coming off a bout with the flu, and Chris Holtmann said he ended up in the hospital earlier this week. But he played and had a solid night, totaling 21 points, six rebounds and four blocks to help Ohio State to a road upset victory.