Illini Whip Up An Upset Recipe, Dump No. 5 Michigan, 71-62
By Jeff Mayfield

[December 12, 2019]  The University of Illinois Fighting Illini got into the festive holiday mood by shocking the nation’s No. 5 team, the Michigan Wolverines, 71-62 last night in Chambana.

With all the Christmas parties and open houses around the Illini decided to create their own delicious treat a stunning upset of a team many were calling the best in the country.

Illinois’ savory dish was helped along by tenacious defense, something the fans have been clamoring for the last couple of seasons. Illinois held the vaunted Wolverine attack to only 44% shooting for the game and only 17% from distance as they merely converted 3 of 18 behind the arc. Illinois was no better only making one 3-pointer on the night by Andres Feliz. However, Illinois did dominate the heralded Michigan bigs by outrebounding them 44-28, outscoring them in the paint 44-26, and shutting them out in 2nd chance points, 16-0 [when was the last time that happened?]? Illinois employed a strategy that we love as they attacked the Wolverines, the paint and the rim all night long.

Kofi Cockburn showed why he is a big ingredient in any recipe, too. Many Illini fans for years have coveted a true big man in the middle. At 7’ 290 pounds I would call him more than big, I would say he has more than a presence in the key, he is a force. His line says it best, 18 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocked shots…to put it simply, he was a beast.  Ayo Dosumnu pumped in 14 points and snatched 8 rebounds of his own to go along with 3 assists. Giorgi Bezhanishvili had an aggressive night of his own, by scoring 12 points and hauling down 8 rebounds, and recording a monster baseline dunk that blew the top right off the State Farm Center.

Andres Feliz continued his solid senior led play by throwing in 13 points and Trent Frazier and Kipper Nichols rounded out the scoring by going for 8 and 5 respectively.

Jon Teske led Michigan with 16 points. Isaiah Livers and Eli Brooks chipped in 12 a piece.

Illinois completed the scrumptious dish by making 70% of their free throws, 14-20, though they did scare this reporter by missing some in the final minutes that allowed Michigan a mild comeback.

With the victory, Illinois moves their record to 7-3, 1-1 while Michigan fell to 8-2, 1-1. The Illini will host another tournament team from last season, Old Dominion Saturday at 5pm. Here’s hoping for another tasty snack!

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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