Michigan Clinches Big Ten Championship
The Michigan Wolverines routed the Illinois Fighting Illini to win the Big Ten title Tuesday night. It is the first time since 1986 the Wolverines have won the conference title outright.
The Illini were the only obstacle left for Michigan on Tuesday night and came into the game on a hot streak. Illinois had held its last four opponents to less than 50 points.
That did not seem to matter to Michigan as they disposed of Illinois easily in a 31-point blowout 84-53. Michigan is now 22-7 on the season and 14-3 in the Big Ten. In the game, the Wolverines hit 16 shots from beyond the three-point arc.
Sophomore Nik Stauskas had 24 points on the night with seven three pointers, which set a personal career high. The Wolverines shared the title in 2012 and Stauskas said they wanted it all to themselves this season.
Illinois with the loss dropped to 17-13 overall and 6-11 in Big Ten play.
Michigan shot 70% from beyond the arc and 57% overall from the field hitting 29 of its 51 shots taken.
Michigan was ahead by 22 points 52-30 at the half thanks to hitting five straight from three-point land to blow the game wide open midway through the first 20 minutes.
Besides the 24 scored by Stauskas, Caris LeVert scored 15 for Michigan, while Glenn Robinson III added 13.
Nearly lost thanks to the phenomenal shooting by Michigan was it dominance on the boards against the Fighting Illini. Michigan outrebounded Illinois by 10 rebounds 33-23. Leading the way was Jon Horford with 10.
The loss by Illinois was its worst in the 51 years they have played at State Farm Center, formerly named Assembly Hall. The Illini were led by 16 points from Rayvonte Rice and 14 from Kendrick Nunn.
The game was so lopsided that Michigan scored over 50 points in the first half, while Illinois did not reach that point until three minutes left in the second half well after the game had been decided.
Illinois shot a respectable 54% in the first half, but could not overcome the 11 for 14 shooting from Michigan during the first 20 minutes.
Michigan recorded 12 assists in just the first 20 minutes of action and turned over the ball only three times. Prior to the game, the Illini were averaging 20 points off steals per game over their past three games.
The Wolverines were excited after their win, but realize there is still much work for them as they prepare for their last regular season game on March 8 against Iowa.
Following the end of the regular season, the Wolverines will play in the Big 10 tournament and will hope to get a high seed in the NCAA Tournament that will follow, in their quest of a National Championship.
The Fighting Illini will hope for a strong showing in the Big 10 tournament that could propel them into the NCAA Tournament, but odds are the Illini will be playing their postseason in the NIT.
