Illini fall hard, lose to Michigan 74-60
By: Austin Kim
Updated: January 27, 2013
Whatever momentum Illinois had from its second Big Ten victory, Michigan took it all away.
Trey Burke had 19 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Glenn Robinson III finished with 14 points as the Wolverines beat Illinois 74-60.
After scoring 30 points against Nebraska, DJ Richardson had a lackluster game. He was 4-15 shooting with 12 points. Brandon Paul was not much better, scoring 15 points but turning the ball over five times.
The Illini did not get to the line in the first half, but shoot three free throw 90 seconds into the second half. They got to the line nine times overall, but turnovers doomed Illinois. With about 15 minutes to go in the game, Sam McLaurin and Brandon Paul combined to give the ball away four straight times, leading to Wolverine points. Illinois turned the ball over 15 times in the game.
The Illini got off to a quick start in the game, as Brandon Paul lobbed one up for Nnanna Egwu. But Michigan went on an 11-0 run in the first quarter after Illini went up 7-4. Nick Staukas, a key part in that run, finished with 14 points.
During the first half, Illinois missed had several empty trips on the offensive end that swung the momentum back to Michigan, including one possession with two offensive rebounds but no points.
Michigan's offense was clicking on all cylinders today. Overall, they shot 51 percent from the field while dominating Illinois in the paint (36 Michigan points in the paint to Illinois' 26), with 6'10 freshmen Mitch McGary getting several tip-ins off missed shots.
Illinois drop to 2-5 in Big Ten play, 15-5 overall. The stretch does not get easier for Illinois. They will head to Michigan State on Thursday, host a resurgent Wisconsin team next Sunday, then Indiana comes to Champaign.
