U of I Goes Down in Flames
By Jeff Mayfield

[March 13, 2015]  Just when you thought the Illinois Fighting Illini had a fresh opportunity to impress the NCAA selection committee...just when you thought after a reported good week of practice they would be ready to fight tooth and nail...and just when you thought the team would be poised to settle some old scores with Michigan...they went down in flames instead, 73-55...and it wasn't that close. In fact, it never was. You can't say the game was a stinker or that Illini laid an egg, because that would be a compliment.

Michigan outplayed the Illini every step of the way. It didn't matter who was shooting for the wolverines because they all appeared to be on fire. U of I had no real offensive star in this game. The Illini’s poor performance almost certainly erases any hope of reaching the NCAA tournament. They will await their likely road date in the NIT. On this day, even the halftime entertainment, “Quick Change," was better than the Illini.

Michigan had four players in double figures as Aubrey Dawkins had 18, Abdur-Rahkmn had 15, and Zak Irvin pitched in 14. To make matters worse, Peoria native Max Bielfeldt also finished in double figures with 10 points. The Illini somehow had three players in double figures but I’m not sure how as they only shot 37% from the field for the game, managing only 31% in the first half. The U of I dug a hole for itself that it never could have climbed out of.
 

The Illini did manage to outrebound Michigan but that's only because shots seemed to be off by so much that they garnered 13 offensive caroms. U of I only made one 3-pointer the entire game as Michigan converted 7 and that 18 point-differential was impossible to overcome. It was one of the most disappointing Illini performances in a game that mattered that I have personally witnessed. I know there are going to be some days like this every once in a while...I just wasn't expecting one in this contest.

The U of I now awaits word from the NIT as to where it will be travelling for a first round road game. Hopefully brighter days are ahead. But as for this one...the Illini went down in flames.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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