Illinois Improves To 6-0 In Big Ten With Win Over Michigan

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- With Michigan in town Friday night and an undefeated conference record at stake, Illinois basketball was in for tough 40-minute battle, and even without Michigan's top scorer Hunter Dickinson, the Wolverines (7-7, 1-3 B1G) brought the Illini down to the wire. But a dominant start to the second half from Kofi Cockburn combined with an electric end to the game from Trent Frazier, led the No. 25 Illini (13-3) to a 68-53 victory and a 6-0 Big Ten record.

Frazier scored 16 points in the second half, making two three-pointers and all six of his free-throw attempts. While the Illini never trailed during the game, the Wolverines pulled within one during the second half. An offensive tear from Frazier shortly after gave Illinois the momentum they'd been searching for all game. 

While Frazier scored 18 points, Cockburn led the Illini with 21 points and 10 rebounds, notching his 10th double-double of the season. Alfonso Plummer also caused Michigan trouble, scoring 16 points. Plummer and Frazier were the main defenders on Michigan's second-best scorer, Eli Brooks, who was held to just seven points at State Farm Center. 

The first half was a defensive showdown for both teams as just 24 points were totaled in the first 10 minutes. However, the Illini maintained a small lead throughout the half.

Illinois started the game with a defensive stop, followed by a pair of free-throw makes from Plummer. Michigan freshman Moussa Diabate scored first for the

Wolverines as he and Kofi Cockburn traded baskets in the paint.

Four minutes into the game, Terrance Williams II ended a two-minute scoring drought for the Wolverines with a layup to tie it up at 6-6. But, Michigan missed its next six shot attempts while Da'Monte Williams made a fast break layup and Cockburn hit a pair of free throws.

After missing a couple early shots, Brooks made his first jumper, then hit another just a minute later to tie the game back up. Cockburn quickly followed it up with two more free throws and Frazier took a charge then made a layup. The Illini defense held strong and forced the Wolverines into a couple more scoreless minutes.

DeVante' Jones got the Michigan offense back on track with a steal and fast break layup. Both teams split a pair of free throws then Omar Payne made two after getting fouled under the basket. Then, State Farm Center erupted as Plummer sunk the game's first three-pointer to give Illinois a 20-13 lead, its biggest to that point.

With momentum to pull away, Plummer hit a step-back jumper on the next possession. However, Jones put a stop to the run; after a pair of Michigan free throws, he made the team's first field goal in four minutes then grabbed a defensive rebound and took it all the way to the hoop.
Cockburn quickly silenced the Wolverines with a layup, but Jones hit Michigan's first three of the game after an offensive rebound, the team's eighth of the half.

While the Illini were close to ending the half on a three-minute scoring drought, Cockburn made another layup. The Illini defense held strong, forcing a shot clock violation to end the half with a 26-22 lead.

Despite having one of the top three-point shooting teams in the conference, Illinois made just one of its nine attempts in the first half. Michigan also made just a single three, and shot 28 percent from the field while Illinois shot 40 percent.

The difference maker for the Wolverines was their offensive rebounding as they finished the half with eight. Those led to eight second chance points while Illinois grabbed just four offensive boards.

Both teams came out of the break with more offensive power. Grandison hit a three to start things off, but Michigan made a jumper a couple possessions later.

Illinois got back on the board with an and-1 from Cockburn after multiple offensive rebounds to put Illinois up 32-24. The Wolverines made consecutive layups before Frazier hit his first three-pointer of the night. Diabate split free throws, then Plummer made a layup to hold the eight-point lead.

Cockburn and Plummer traded a series of layups with Michigan before the Wolverines went on a 6-0 run to get within two points. Another layup from Cockburn ended the run, but Michigan scored a quick three points to threaten Illinois' lead.

Cockburn came up big again with a slam and the Illini defense shut down Michigan on the next couple possessions. Illinois' offense kept flowing as Frazier was fouled on a fast break layup and made both shots at the line. Then, Grandison drained a three which forced Michigan to take a timeout as State Farm Center erupted.

While Michigan came out of the timeout poised, leading to a jumper from Jones, Frazier once again created panic in the Wolverines. The senior made a layup, but Kobe Bufkin answered with a jumper. On the next trip down, Frazier drained a three, then Hawkins stole the ball on defense leading to another layup from Frazier.

With Illinois up 59-48 with a little over three minutes to play, Michigan called another timeout. Frazier kept attacking the basket, getting fouled and making free throws while the Illini defense locked Michigan down. With a little over a minute to go, Williams put the dagger in Michigan with a three. 

The Illini will stay at home to host No. 7 Purdue, on Monday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 11 a.m.