A year after going 3-17 in the Big Ten, the Michigan Wolverines entered Sunday’s game against Illinois 14-3 and in second place, ranked 15th in the nation. Dusty May’s first season at the helm has transformed the program.
But some things don’t change.
Coming in as 3.5-point home favorites, Michigan fell 93-73 in its 9th straight loss to the Illini, a streak that spans 2,243 days. A game tied at 41 with 15:28 to go got ugly quick as the visitors rattled off an 8-0 run and held a double-digit lead for the final 10:45.
9-0 in their last nine games decided by four points or fewer, the Wolverines were already facing questions about the legitimacy of their place atop the conference. With ex-coach Juwan Howard in the building, Sunday afternoon vindicated those questions in humiliating fashion.
Michigan Wolverines Big Ten Stock Sours with Deflating Loss to Illinois
Despite holding second place in the Big Ten standings, Michigan tipped off at sixth in the conference in net rating, a more accurate evaluation of a team relative to the competition.
22nd in the country, Illinois ranked three spots ahead of Michigan coming into the game.
Part of the Illini’s success was simply the result of good health after illness decimated the team for much of the season. The Big Ten’s top rebounding team was also able to hold the Wolverines twin towers, the 7’1 Vladislov Goldin and the 7’0 Danny Wolf, in check on the glass. The pair combined for just 12 boards as Illinois dominated Michigan 43 to 32 in rebounds, including 19 to 12 at the offensive end.
With an average of 28.5 points, 16.2 rebounds and 5 assists coming from Michigan’s frontcourt, limiting Wolf and Goldin is key. While Goldin registered a game-high 22 points, he was the only Wolverine in double figures.
By comparison, four Illini starters scored 13 or more. Tre White led the team in both points and rebounds with 19 and 11. Freshman Will Riley, who drew postgame praise from coach Brad Underwood, contributed 13 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.
6’2 Kylan Boswell, Illinois’ smallest starter, grabbed 9 boards, scored 17 points, dished out 4 dimes and blocked 2 shots. The Illini got a subpar performance from headliner Kasparas Jakucionis, the 7’1 Lithuanian freshman, but a down game for him amounted to 17, 6 and 4.
With Boswell the only starter shorter than 6’7, it is no wonder that Illinois leads the Big Ten in rebounds. They used their size to take advantage of second chance opportunities and prevent Michigan from any of their own.
It was a thoroughly dominant showing for a team the public soured on after three straight losses to Michigan State, Wisconsin and Duke, a 43-point thrashing. After today, perhaps the Illini can win back fans’ good graces.
Fans Losing Faith in Michigan
More than validating Illinois, however, many will view Sunday’s outcome as exposing the Wolverines and their close-game luck. Beating Rutgers should not come down to a deep three at the buzzer, as it did on Thursday in Michigan’s 84-82 win.
“Unrank these frauds,” one tweeter demanded.
Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball as of lately:
– Dog walked by MSU at home in a game they were favored.
– clapped by Illinois in a game they were favored.
– buzzer beater to beat Rutgers, in a game they were favored by 10.Unrank these frauds.
— Ian Kopey (@k0pey1) March 2, 2025
Others suggested that Juwan Howard’s presence in the stands sealed the outcome before tipoff. It was Howard last season who coached the Wolverines to their worst conference record since 1966-67.
Another fan delivered a worrisome prognosis: “More ‘ball don’t lie’ losses coming after so many close/lucky wins.”
Basketball team looks like a spent force. Like Dusty already got everything out of them. More “ball don’t lie” losses coming after so many close/lucky wins. Overall tremendous first season, but more likely Wolverines don’t win again then win a Big Ten title in East Lansing.
— MichiganPodcast (@MichiganPodcast) March 3, 2025
Unfortunately for Michigan, things don’t get any easier next week. Wednesday pits them against #16 Maryland ahead of a trip to Lansing to end the season. While Michigan remains just a game back of Michigan State for first place in the Big Ten, they will face an uphill battle to topple the Spartans.
Because of conference tiebreakers, losing to the Terrapins would all but shut the door on their hopes regardless of whether MSU beats Iowa or Michigan next week.
May has guided the team to an impressive bounceback season, but Wolverines stock is tanking at exactly the wrong time.
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