No. 5 Michigan Falls to Unranked Illinois to Continue Chaos Within Top 5
By Thomas Carannante
The Michigan Wolverines haven't exactly lived up to their top-five ranking in the college basketball AP Poll ever since propelling up to No. 4 last week. While losing to No. 1 Louisville doesn't sound too bad, Michigan was utterly dominated on both end of the floor throughout the night in a 58-43 loss.
Then came Wednesday night. A 71-62 loss against an unranked Illinois team isn't going to help the cause either.
NO ONE IS SAFE! ?
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) December 12, 2019
Illinois takes down No. 5 Michigan, as the Wolverines become the THIRD top-5 team to fall this week! #ILLINI?? pic.twitter.com/mrS03Cbrsh
While Illinois just took No. 4 Maryland to the brink but lost in the final seconds, it's still not a good look for a Michigan team that now has to face No. 10 Oregon on Saturday.
The Wolverines shot just above 16% from 3-point range in this one, missing a whopping 15 shots. The fact that they lost by nine to a team that shot ... 9% from deep ... looks even worse.
FINAL: Illinois 71, No. 5 Michigan 62.
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) December 12, 2019
Biggest win of the season, by far, for Brad Underwood’s program. I’m looking forward to all of the different ways this is called an “upset” even though Illinois was favored to win the game.
But the Fighting Illini overwhelmed Michigan in the paint, led by center Kofi Cockburn, who dropped a game-high 19 points. He also grabbed 10 rebounds and registered four blocks.
Illinois was somehow a favorite in this one, and it goes to show that Vegas always knows the scoop. Watch out for Illinois, Big Ten opponents.