Michigan
Illinois
Fighting Illini Deal Michigan 75-59 Road Defeat
2/9/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Michigan (12-8, 3-6 Big Ten) started out this key Big Ten road contest strong as freshman guard Gaines knifed through the lane to score the first hoop of the contest. From there, Michigan's tough halfcourt defense allowed the Wolverines to push its lead to 12-3. Offensively, Gaines paced the Maize and Blue with a feed to Peter Vignier (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck HS) for a layup and a pair of free throws as Michigan earned its early nine-point lead. In fact, Michigan's defense was so solid Illinois did not convert its first field goal until the 16:35 mark of the first half.
However, foul trouble plagued Wolverines Josh Asselin (Caro, Mich./Caro HS) and LaVell Blanchard (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) and Michigan's starting center and forward combined for just two first-half points. Illinois (14-7, 6-4 Big Ten) took advantage and went on an 8-0 run to cut Michigan's lead to 12-11 before a jumper from Gaines momentarily thwarted the Fighting Illini's run. The two teams traded baskets before Illinois was able to take its first lead with 5:23 left in the first half at 19-18.
After a pair of Gaines free throws put Michigan back in front, Illinois went on another run (11-2) to garner its biggest lead of the first half at 30-22. Jumpers from Brandon Smith (Amarillo, Texas/Palo Duro HS) and Leon Jones (Battle Creek, Mich./Winchendon Prep) late in the first half helped Michigan cut the deficit to six (34-28) heading into the intermission. Gaines led Michigan with eight first-half points, while Smith chipped in six.
Illinois came out of the locke room and promptly went on a 7-1 run to go up 41-29. However, the Wolverines did not go away as a Jones triple -- Michigan's first of the game -- ignited a 10-5 Michigan run and allowed the Wolverines to cut the deficit to seven (46-39). Continued strong play from Gaines, who knocked down a mid-range jumper and delivered a nice dish to Vignier, helped Michigan remain within striking distance of Illinois for much of the second half.
Illinois' lead fluctuated from seven to 12 for much of the second half, while Michigan sophomore Chris Young (Plymouth, Mich./Catholic Central HS) sparked Michigan off the bench with a pair of hoops in the paint and success at the free throw line. Michigan's final push came off another three from Jones and a Blanchard 15-foot jumper as the Illinois lead stood at seven (61-54) with less than 10 minutes remaining the game.
That was as close as the Wolverines would get, however, as Illinois went on a 11-1 run to grab its biggest lead of the contest at 72-55. Michigan could only muster a jumper in the lane from Gavin Groninger (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield HS) and a pair of Gaines free throws before bowing to the Illini 75-59.
The Wolverines return home to face the Indiana Hoosiers on Sunday, (Feb. 13) at 1 p.m. in Crisler Arena.
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
