Michigan
16-0; 5-0
Illinois
4-12; 0-5
Simpson’s Season-High 16 Leads U-M to 16-0, Tie for Program-Best Start
1/10/2019 11:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball
» With its 79-69 win over Illinois, the Wiolverines tied the best start in program history with its 16-0 overall record.
» All five starters recorded double-digit scoring performances for the first time since Nov. 13, 2017.
» Jon Teske notched his third career double-double and first of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
» Zavier Simpson earned his 13th game with five assists or more, handing out eight against Illinois.
» Michigan returns to Crisler Center on Sunday (Jan. 13) at 7:30 p.m., for its second meeting with Northwestern.
Site: Champaign, Ill. (State Farm Center)
Score: #2/4 Michigan 79, Illinois 69
Records: U-M (16-0, 5-0 Big Ten), Illinois (4-12, 0-5 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Jan. 13 – vs. Northwestern (Crisler Center), 7:30 p.m. - BTN
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Led by a season-high 16 points from junior Zavier Simpson, the University of Michigan men's basketball team tied the best start in program history (16-0) with a 79-69 victory over Illinois on Thursday night (Jan. 10) at State Farm Center.
The Wolverines matched the 2012-13 and 1985-86 Michigan squads that started their seasons with 16 consecutive wins. Michigan is one of two undefeated teams remaining in the country, joining Virginia.
All five starters recorded double-digit scoring against the Fighting Illini, marking the first time since Nov. 13, 2017 against Central Michigan. Simpson led the Wolverines, while Ignas Brazdeikis scored 15, Charles Matthews chipped in 14, Jon Teske netted 13 and Jordan Poole 10. As a team, the Wolverines shot 45.2 percent from the floor (28-of-62) and 81.8 percent from the free throw line (18-of-22). Simpson was the general on the court for the Wolverines, dishing out eight assists to mark the 13th time this season in which he has passed out five helpers or more.
Along with this 13 points, Teske grabbed 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season and third of his career. The junior center added four blocks and four assists. Brazdeikis was two rebounds shy of a double-double, while Isaiah Livers and Simpson each pulled down five boards for the Maize and Blue.
The Wolverines opened the game on an 8-0 run that started with a Livers turn-around jumper and was capped off with an and-one play from Brazdeikis over the first two minutes. The Fighting Illini worked its way to within three points, 20-17, at the 10:15 mark before sophomore Eli Brooks ended a 2:44 scoring drought and brought the Michigan advantage back to five on a drive down the middle of the key with 9:21 remaining in the first half.
With just under eight minutes to play, Michigan came out of the third media timeout and went on a 6-0 run before taking an 11-point lead, 36-25, when Illinois was assessed a technical foul and Poole went to the line and made both free throws.
Illinois continued to fight its way back into the game as Ayo Dosunmu hit a three-pointer with six seconds remaining in the first half to cut the Michigan advantage to five, 39-34, heading into halftime. Dosunmu led all scorers with 19 points over the first 20 minutes, going 8-for-10 from the floor.
Brazdeikis, Livers and Teske scored seven points each in the first half for the Wolverines, while Brazdeikis brought down a team-best five rebounds and Livers added four.
Coming out of the break, the Wolverines held Illinois scoreless for a two-minute stretch, while a three-pointer from Teske and a fast break layup from Simpson off a pass from Brazdeikis gave Michigan a 46-39 advantage with 15:26 to play.
Michigan extended its lead back to 11 on a Teske-to-Matthews dunk on the left side of the floor, but Illinois shut down the run and closed the gap to nine points, 55-46, heading into a timeout with 11:01 remaining.
The Wolverines held onto a double-digit lead for three minutes, but the Illini worked their way back with five straight points to bring them within seven, 63-56. Simpson responded with a three-pointer to take the Wolverine lead back to 10.
Michigan will face Northwestern for the second time this season when the Wolverines host the Wildcats on Sunday (Jan. 13) at Crisler Center. Opening tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.
