No. 3 Michigan 74, Illinois 60: Sophomore guard Trey Burke led all scorers with 19 as the visiting Wolverines upended the Fighting Illini.
Three other starters scored in double figures for Michigan (19-1, 6-1 Big Ten). Freshman guard Nik Stauskas scored 14, while freshman forward Glenn Robinson III and junior guard Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 12 apiece.
Senior guard Brandon Paul kept Illinois (15-6, 2-5) in it with 15 points. Another guard, senior D.J. Richardson, finished with 12 points to go along with his seven boards. Sophomore guard Tracy Adams chipped in 10.
The Fighting Illini kept pace for much of the first half, but the Wolverines led by eight at the break. A 7-0 run gave Michigan a 16-point lead with six minutes to go, and Illinois never seriously threatened after that.
Michigan shot 52.5 percent from the field, while holding Illinois to 37.1 percent. The Fighting Illini attempted 26 3-pointers, sinking six.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Michigan avenged a loss to another John Groce-coached team, last year's Ohio Bobcats, who beat the Wolverines in the NCAA Tournament's second round. … Wolverine freshman guard Caris LeVert initially committed to Groce at Ohio, but re-opened his recruitment when Groce left for Illinois. LeVert did not score. … Michigan has won four straight over the Fighting Illini.
Michigan | Illinois | |
Trey Burke 19 | Scoring | Brandon Paul 15 |
Trey Burke 5 | Assists | Tracy Abrams 3 |
Mitch McGary 8 | Rebounds | Nnanna Egwu 10 |
Trey Burke 4 | Free Throws Made | Myke Henry 2 |
Trey Burke 3 | Steals | D.J. Richardson 2 |
Tim Hardaway, Jr. 1 | Blocks | Brandon Paul 1 |