Michigan
Illinois
Fighting Illini Squeak by U-M in Defensive Battle
1/25/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's basketball dropped a 55-51 outcome to No. 7-ranked University of Illinois on Thursday (Jan. 25) at Crisler Arena. LaVell Blanchard (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) and Bernard Robinson Jr. (Washington, D.C./New Hampton Prep [N.H.]) led the way for Michigan, scoring 44 of the team's 51 points. Blanchard had game highs of 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Robinson Jr. added 18 points and five boards.
Illinois (16-4, 6-1 Big Ten) came out firing from beyond the arc, connecting on back-to-back three pointers to open the game. Michigan (8-9, 2-4 Big Ten) was cold from the field at the start, misfiring on its first six attempts. The Wolverines took charge on an 11-0 run, giving them their first lead of the game. Avery Queen (Moreno Valley, Calif./Redemption Christian Academy [N.Y.]) got things started on a no-look pass to Josh Asselin (Caro, Mich/Caro HS) for a two-handed slam, and the Wolverines' first field goal.
Blanchard knocked down a deuce on the baseline from 10 feet out on U-M's next possession. The crowd came alive shortly after as Robinson Jr. utilized a sharp pass from Queen off the break and turned it into a dazzling up-and-under reverse layup off the glass, then added a triple on his next opportunity from the field to finish off the run, making the score 12-6 at the 14:10 mark.
The Illini tied the game after a 5-0 run, but the Wolverines quickly regained the lead after Blanchard scored the next nine points for the Wolverines. Blanchard started it off by hitting a tough turnaround off the baseline with a hand in his face. Next, he showed his soft touch as he put a floater in from just outside the lane. Blanchard maintained his aggressiveness as he crashed the offensive glass, and put in another easy bucket. Finally, with the shot clock at one, he let a very deep trey leave his hand and it splashed down in the net for three to give Michigan a 23-18 lead with 3:00 left in the half.
Illinois went on a 5-0 run to end the half, but the Wolverines held on to a slim 26-23 lead heading into the locker room. Michigan's stingy defense kept the Illini to a season-low 23 first half points on 29.6 shooting. Blanchard led all scorers with 16 first-half points as he was also the only player to play all 20 minutes.
Michigan started the second half with the same intensity on defense that it had the entire first period, and Illinois didn't make a field goal for close to seven minutes to start the half. In that time, the Wolverines went on a 10-2 run, thanks to Robinson Jr. hitting a triple in the corner and then a long deuce from virtually the same spot on the floor off the transition break, forcing Illinois to take a timeout with 15:58 to play and a 33-24 game.
Offensively, the Wolverines became very patient, working the ball around for good opportunities. Robinson Jr. took advantage of his opportunity when the time came for a three-point play at the 13:13 mark, giving Michigan a double-digit lead at 36-26. After an Illini 6-0 run to pull within four, Blanchard used a text-book shot fake to get open, nailing a 12-foot jumper on the wing. With Illinois creeping back into the game, Robinson Jr. hit a back-breaking three with the shot clock winding down to give Michigan a four-point lead at 41-37 with 7:05 left in the game.
Deadlocked at 42-42, the Wolverines again went to their go-to guy in Blanchard and he again delivered with a deep deuce from the wing under heavy Illini pressure. Illinois refused to go away, and in turn went on a 7-0 run, giving the Illini the lead at 49-44 with 1:44 to go in regulation.
Illinois extended the lead from the free throw line, but Michigan came right back with a three-point play from Blanchard in the corner, bringing the Wolverines within three at 52-49 with 23.4 seconds remaining. Both teams continued to swap free throws, but time simply ran out for Michigan as Illinois iced the game from the charity stripe and held on for the victory.
Up next for the Maize and Blue is a road contest in Evanston, Ill., against Northwestern on Saturday (Jan. 27) at 7 p.m. CST.
N O T E S
LaVell Blanchard recorded the 14th double-double of his career and fifth of the season with his 26-point, 13-rebound performance. It was the seventh time this season Blanchard had at least 20 points in a game. His 13 rebounds also tied a career high.
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
