Illinois blows Michigan basketball out on U-M senior day

Michigan needed a win over Illinois to keep pace with Michigan State in the Big Ten standings, but the Wolverines weren’t up to the task — not even close. An embarrassing effort on the glass and poor second half defense led to a 93-73 blowout loss, the Wolverines’ ninth straight setback against the Illini.

The two teams didn’t tear it up offensively in the early going of Sunday’s game, the Illini going 1-for-10 in the first 4:15 and U-M 2-for-7. The game was largely without flow in the early going, and it would remain that way throughout for the Wolverines.

The Michigan offense had a tough time scoring unless the it went through big man Vlad Goldin in the post. He scored 6 points in the first 12 minutes and U-M made a concerted effort to go to him. He also missed some great opportunities, allowing the Illini to build a 7-point lead after back-to-back triples, including yet another bank for an opponent from the top of the key (Kasparas Jakucionis). That would be one of two banked triples for the Illini.

The Wolverines made only 4 of their 9 looks from within four feet early, a trend lately, and started 1-for-5 from three-point range. Forward Danny Wolf had an especially tough start, scoreless with three turnovers in the first 15 minutes. The Illini opened another 7-point edge, but the Wolverines wouldn’t let them get away. 

Offensive rebounds continued to hinder them, though — Illinois had 8 in the first 17 minutes, leading to 10 second-chance points. Michigan also didn’t take advantage in close, making only 6 of their first 13 “layups” per the official stats. Still, they were only down 29-25 when Goldin missed a pair of free throws that would have cut it to two. 

Wolf found wing Nimari Burnett in transition, though, for his first triple at 1:15 and the Crisler Crowd came to life despite a light student presence (spring break). The Wolverines cut it to 31-30 at the break after Wolf drove and finished with seconds remaining on the clock. 

U-M shot 44.8 percent to Illinois’ 32.4, and the Illini only made 3-of-14 triples in the first half. Goldin had 8 points, Donaldson 7, and Wolf and Will Tschetter 4 each to pace the Wolverines. 

SECOND HALF — Illini run Michigan off their own court

Goldin opened the scoring with a half hook on a post inside, giving the Wolverines their first lead since early in the first half. The two teams would continue to trade buckets in the first four minutes, though, with offensive rebounds and turnovers continuing to be a nemesis for the Wolverines. 

Illinois led by 4 when Tschetter hit a long triple from the top and Goldin went coast to coast for a layup to give the Wolverines a one-point lead again. 

The Wolverines had upped their shooting percentage to 49 percent to Illinois’ 36, but once again, second chance points were U-M’s undoing. Illinois had 10 more shots at the 15-minute mark and led 43-41 due to second chance points. They took a 45-41 lead at 14:15 … it was 48-41 after a bad Rubin Jones turnover and a three at the other end. 

It was so bad on the glass that the crowd gave a Bronx cheer following a rebound on a missed three. But the defense also continued to struggle, and it was 57-47 at 10:45 following another Illini wide open three.

Michigan continued to have problems guarding the quicker Illini, and it was clear the Wolverines would need another run to pull out a home win. Donaldson drove and finished to cut it to nine, but another wide open triple gave Illinois its biggest lead at 12. It was 15 after another three following a Donaldson drive and miss, the and Wolverines were all but down for the count. 

Illinois expanded the lead to as many as 21 and were never in danger of losing. They scored a ridiculous 62 points in the second half, had 19 offensive rebounds on the way to 30 second chance points, and shot 61.1 percent and 11-for-23 on three-pointers in the second half alone.

Michigan falls a game behind MSU in the standings with a home game at Maryland and a road contest at Michigan State still remaining.