Michigan basketball’s Big Ten title chase continues vs Illinois: Prediction, preview

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When Michigan basketball head coach Dusty May strolled to the podium on Thursday, he broke habit.

Following his team’s games, like Michigan’s recent 84-82 buzzer-beating win over Rutgers, May generally comes to the dais in the Crisler Center media room and shares an opening statement before taking questions. However, after the Wolverines’ most recent result, May offered no such monologue.

“Can we just take questions?” May instead asked. “I’m sorry, I’m rattled, frazzled. We’re turning the page to Illinois, Sunday, trying to figure out our schedule. I’d love to just take questions if that’s okay?”

Vladislav Goldin of the Michigan Wolverines dunks the ball over Trey Galloway of the Indiana Hoosiers in the second half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 in Bloomington, Indiana.

May found himself doing something similar after U-M escaped OSU, 86-83, in the closing seconds in Columbus, telling media he felt guilty for not enjoying it longer, but instead immediately turning his attention to the upcoming matchup with MSU.

That’s just been the nature of the situation for the No. 13 Wolverines (22-6, 14-3 Big Ten) who find themselves in control of their destiny in the chase for a Big Ten championship with just three games to play. Up next for U-M is Illinois (18-11, 10-8 Big Ten), in the penultimate home game at Crisler Center in a Sunday matinee (3:45 p.m., CBS).

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Illini starting to fade

Illinois opened the year 12-3 overall and 4-1 in the league, but is just 6-8 over its most recent 14 games, which included a one off vs. Duke. Not only has Illinois fallen out of contention for the league title and any hopes of a double bye, but Brad Underwood’s team is looking at somewhere between a 7 and 10 seed if it doesn’t pick up a couple big wins down the stretch.

Despite its record, Illinois is No. 22 in KenPom (No. 18 on offense and No. 35 on defense), slightly ahead of No. 24 Michigan….

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/michigan-basketballs-big-ten-title-110832964.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2025-03-02 11:08:00

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