Halftime Analysis: Michigan vs. No. 21 Illinois

Michigan hosts No. 21 Illinois, trying to end their 3-game losing streak with the help of Isaiah Livers returning to the starting lineup.

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Coming off their third consecutive loss, Michigan received good news before tipoff against No. 21 Illinois today when Isaiah Livers returned to the starting lineup.

The junior had missed the previous six games, and the Wolverines went 2-4 in that stretch.

The Fighting Illini entered the contest one of the hottest teams in the Big Ten, having won five games in a row.

Michigan opened the game energized, and quickly jumped to a 9-4 lead. However, the Wolverines went through a couple long scoring droughts and Illinois took advantage to build a lead as high as 24-16.

Michigan finished the half well to pull within 34-30 at the break.

POSITIVES:

  • Livers being back on the floor brought energy to the Crisler Center and to his Wolverine teammates. The junior had a bounce to his step as well, and he was active on the boards with 4 rebounds in the first half. Livers only had 2 points on 1-of-4 shooting, but that’s not much of a concern given he missed the six games prior. His shooting touch should return with time.
  • Michigan trailed by as many as eight points in the first half, and it appeared the game may get away from the Wolverines. However, they closed the half strong to enter locker room trailing by just four points. That small spurt may give Michigan some momentum as the second half gets underway.
  • Point guard Zavier Simpson more composed in today’s first half than in the previous game against Penn State. The senior had 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting in the opening 20 minutes to lead the Wolverines.

NEGATIVES:

  • Livers’ return brought energy, but much of that was quickly sapped away due to the Wolverines once again struggling to knock down shots. Michigan was just 1-of-11 from three-point range in the first half, and 11-of-31 from the floor (35 percent). The Wolverines will need to shoot better than that to beat the Illini.
  • While the Wolverines defensive effort was much better in the first half against Illinois than their performance against Penn State, the Fighting Illini still managed to shoot 48 percent from the floor and 50 percent from three-point range. Michigan needs to take another step on that end in the second half.