(15-5, 2-4 Big Ten)
Wins vs Top 100 Opponents
| Wins (RPI 1-50) | |||
| RPI | DATE | OPPONENT | SCORE |
| 10 | Nov. 21 | Butler* | 78-61 |
| 8 | Dec. 8 | @ Gonzaga | 85-74 |
| 21 | Jan. 5 | Ohio State | 74-55 |
| Wins (RPI 51-100) | |||
| RPI | DATE | OPPONENT | SCORE |
| 76 | Dec. 16 | Eastern Kentucky | 66-53 |
| 67 | Jan. 22 | @ Nebraska | 71-51 |
Losses
| Losses (RPI 1-50) | |||
| RPI | DATE | OPPONENT | SCORE |
| 27 | Dec. 22 | Missouri* | 73-82 |
| 11 | Jan. 9 | Minnesota | 67-84 |
| 41 | Jan. 12 | @ Wisconsin | 51-74 |
| Losses (RPI 51-100) | |||
| RPI | DATE | OPPONENT | SCORE |
| 88 | Jan. 17 | Northwestern | 54-68 |
| Losses (RPI 101-150) | |||
| RPI | DATE | OPPONENT | SCORE |
| 112 | Jan. 2 | @ Purdue | 61-68 |
Starting Five
SO. Tracy Abrams. G .6'1" 185 lbs.
11.4 PTS. 3.8 REB. 3.0 3PA. 28% 3PT.
SR. D.J. Richardson. G. 6'3" 195 lbs.
11.8 PTS. 4.5 REB. 7.1 3PA. 33% 3PT.
SR. Brandon Paul. G. 6'4" 200 lbs.
18.0 PTS. 4.8 REB. 6.6 3PA. 34% 3PT.
SR. Sam McLaurin. F. 6'8" 220 lbs.
3.9 PTS. 3.6 REB. 3,2 FGA, 44% FG.
SO. Nnanna Egwu. C. 6'11" 235 lbs.
6.3 PTS. 4.6 REB. 1.5 BLK.
Key Bench Players
JR. Joseph Bertrand. G. 6'6" 195 lbs.
22.9 MIN. 8.7 PTS. 4.7 REB.
SR. Tyler Griffey. F. 6'9" 220 lbs.
22.8 MIN. 7.5 PTS. 3.4 REB.
Key Team Stats (Big Ten Rankings)
The Bad
11th. AST/TO. (.89)
10th. Rebounds per game. (35.4)
10th. Assists per game. (10.9)
8th. FG %. (43%)
The Good
2nd. FT %. (71%)
2nd. Blocks per game. (4.8)
6th. PTS per game. (72.8)
6th. OFF Rebounds per game. (12.0)
What I make out of all of this
This is a team that lives and dies by the three. When they were making them early in the year, they were a top ten team nationally. They have attempted almost 100 more threes than Michigan, but have only made 4 more (they've played 20 games, we've played 19). It is going to be very important that we don't give them any open looks on the outside. They get a decent amount of Off Rebounds, but they also have the most FGA in the conference.
Spread Mich -6
Prediction
Michigan 68, Illinois 61
I think Illinois is going to start off hot, similar to Purdue, and build a decent first half lead on us. After an inspirational Bacari Alexander half time speech, the defense will shut down Illinois from the perimeter in the second half and Michigan will go on a run. Illinois won't be able to continue their 3pt shooting success and Michigan will take over the game.
Go Blue!
Sorry MODS, meant to put this in Diaries.
“When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing” - Bo Schembechler