Illinois Basketball: 3 observations from the Illini win over Michigan (part 2)

1 of 4

ANN ARBOR, MI – JANUARY 25: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood shouts instructions to his players during a regular season Big Ten Conference game between the Illinois Fighting Illini (21) and the Michigan Wolverines on January 25, 2020, at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Illinois defeated Michigan 64-62. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

This was an up and down game for the Illinois basketball team, but we were able to come away with a huge victory.

Illinois and Michigan went back and forth pretty much the entire game. The Illini were able to jump out to a five-point lead with 10 minutes left in the first half. This was one of the bigger leads of the game. But Michigan continued to keep it in reach.

With five minutes to go until halftime, Illinois was able to get the lead up to six points. Michigan hit a free throw in the last seconds of the first half, but Illinois went into halftime with a 34-30 lead.

The Wolverines came out in the second half firing. Illinois was able to score a couple of baskets, but Michigan was too much early on. Less than four minutes into the second half, Illinois lost the lead to Michigan 40-39.

With only 10 minutes to go in the game, Illinois managed to take the lead back 52-50. The game seemed to be within a score the rest of the way out. The Illini had a one-point lead with five minutes to go. But Michigan took the lead back 62-60 shortly after. That is when two Trent Frazier free throws tied everything up.

Michigan missed a basket and left the Illini with the last-second shot. With less than a second left, Ayo nailed the game-winning bucket. Illinois managed to come away with a huge road win over Michigan, 64-62.

Here are three observations from the Illini win over Michigan.

Home/Illinois Basketball