Illini Fall to Michigan
By Jeff Mayfield

[March 10, 2017]  It had all the makings of an awesome day. For one thing it was 72 degrees and sunny. How many March 9ths do you remember celebrating that were that nice? That’s what I thought. I had gotten a great night’s sleep, which almost never happens for me when I’m on the road. And the beloved Illini were about to take the court for their first 2017 Big Ten Tourney game; a tourney that for the most part they have played well in over the years. Like I said, it was a day that had all the makings.

And in it’s early stages, the day looked like it was trending in an upward manner. I got to spend some time early in the morning visiting my congressman, Rep. Rodney Davis (IL Dist. 13) in his office and even he was trying to conjure up good luck for the Illini. We had no problems on the subway, got to the Verizon Center (this year’s Big Ten Tourney arena=home of the Wizards, Capitals and the Georgetown Hoyas), had a pretty decent seat, and as I said, it had all the makings.

Then something went terribly wrong. The game started. For whatever reason, Illinois never looked like they were in the flow the entire game even though it had all the makings.

One member of the Fighting Illini, Tracy Abrams, started battling early and we were all hoping that would spark his teammates. Sadly, it never did.

If you glanced at the first half stats you wouldn’t have thought the Illini were in that much trouble. I mean they were shooting 48% from the field but Michigan was shooting almost 60%. AND they were killing Illinois on points in the paint, points off turnovers and in fast break scoring.

And all those trends just kept getting worse in the second half. Illinois had no answer for Derrick Walton, Jr.-19 points, Zac Irvin-18 points, or Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman-17 points. And Abrams was the only one who was doing anything for the Illini.

In fact, IF I had told you before the game that Malcolm Hill would score only 4 points; and that Maverick Morgan would only score 4 points and that the Illini only had one player in double figures, you probably would have told me that the Illini lost by 50! It wasn’t quite that bad but 20 points felt like more at times on the way to a final score of 75-55 for the Wolverines.

However, Tracy Abrams, was also the only guy hitting them in warm-ups or the game. He finished the day with 23 points, 5 rebounds and two assists and was really the only player that put up much of a fight. Illinois also turned it over 14 times to only 7 times for the Wolverines and that was a huge factor in the outcome.

I’ve really said more about the game than can honestly be said about it. It was an old-fashioned beatdown. But now, the real drama begins. What happens next? Many Illini fans have been speculating as to whether John Groce will continue to be the coach going forward. From our vantage point-we have no idea. Tracy Abrams was asked about his opinion of the Illini’s future…here’s what he said:

“The future’s always bright for the Illini. Great program. Going to continue to be a great program…the sky’s the limit for our program…and it’s going to continue to be the limit…”
I absolutely love that! I don’t think I could say it better myself. No matter what happens. There will be brighter days somewhere in our future and I hope they get here sooner rather than later.

One last thing. I salute our wonderful LDN readers. You make what we do a special experience. Thanks for your support and thanks for reading. Go Illini!

[By JEFF MAYFIELD with photos by LDN staff]

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