Fans give polarizing reactions as Terrence Shannon Jr. found not guilty in r*pe trial: "So clearly guilty," "So damn happy right now!"

Terrence Shannon Jr., a basketball star from the University of Illinois, was accused of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman at a bar near the University of Kansas campus in September 2023. However, the former guard and current draft prospect were acquitted on all charges related to the charges of rape and aggravated sexual battery in the trial on Thursday.

The trial took place in a Kansas courtroom and garnered a lot of reactions from college basketball fans on the internet.

As per their comments, there was a divide between TSJ's acquittal. Some fans were happy that their favorite player was found not guilty of the claims.

"Thank GOD!!!! So damn happy right now!!!!!!," one fan said.

"He always was. Case should have been thrown out long ago," another fan said.

"TONS of people owe him a sincere apology, but of course that won’t happen," a fan said.

Other fans believed Terrence Shannon Jr. was not innocent.

"FYI - Not guilty doesn’t mean 100% innocent," one fan said.

"Absolutely ridiculous that TSJ gets to walk free. So clearly guilty. This is a dark day for women everywhere, especially those in college. The fact that TSJ can get away with anything he wants just because he’s the star basketball player is just terrible," a fan said.

"Correct me if I’m wrong but an acquittal isn’t the same as innocent. It’s “not guilty”, not “innocent”. OJ was acquitted and he did it," another fan said.

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Terrence Shannon Jr. was suspended for six games in December

While the trial was going on, the Fighting Illini guard was suspended for six games in December, but his suspension was reinstated in January after U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Lawless found that Terrence Shannon Jr.'s civil rights were being violated.

The judge reported that the suspension deprived him of "protected property interests." His property interests include maintaining his potential to become a top NBA pick and benefiting from endorsements permitted under the NCAA's name, image, and likeness (NIL) policy.

Apart from facing a suspension, he also faced "no means no" chants while playing against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament championship game. Officials of the game had to intervene and stop members of the Badgers' band from participating in the chants.