For the second time since returning from the three-week pause, Michigan basketball would find itself going up against the No. 4 team in the nation and another one of the Big Ten’s most formidable teams.
Illinois has long decried the Wolverines’ decision not to play just days after the COVID-19-induced pause took place, but with the game back on the books, the Fighting Illini could either stay alive in contention for the Big Ten regular season championship or the maize and blue would walk away with it — and a likely No. 1 seed in the forthcoming NCAA Tournament.
But Michigan basketball had to earn it.
The Wolverines entered halftime with just 22 points, down 11 with 20 minutes to go. The maize and blue would need some second half magic to get back into it, as nothing was going right for Michigan in this one.
But the halftime magic wouldn’t come, as a completely out of sorts Michigan basketball team got dominated on its home court by Illinois, 76-53.
Here are our five takeaways from the game.