Michigan Basketball: 3 takeaways from agitating loss to Illinois
By Nick Popio
3. Michigan’s willingness to fight is something to build upon in a lost season
Although it wasn’t the outcome that they had hoped for, Michigan basketball can find some positives that came out of Friday night’s loss to Illinois.
The Wolverines performed at a respectable level on defense, which has been sorely lacking in basically all of their losses. Unfortunately, a lot of the same problems that have plagued them through 14 games continue to rare their ugly head.
Through the first two media timeouts, Michigan football was matching the Illini stride for stride. Illinois then went on a 12-3 spurt, until Michigan answered and narrowed the gap.
They got within three and made it to within a deuce after a DeVante’ Jones 3-pointer. They trailed by four at the break and had a string of momentum on their side.
Juwan Howard on postgame radio show: "I'm in the trenches with this group because I commend them, I respect them and I'm going to fight with them."
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) January 15, 2022
In the second they were down eight and went on a 9-2 run to get into striking distance. It didn’t last long though as Illinois finished the win off by a tally of 23-9. Michigan never led but was in it for 33 plus minutes with a Big Ten favorite.
Next. What we learned in loss to Illinois. dark
That’s something Juwan Howard and his staff have got to imprint in the minds of their core going forward if they want to salvage what is left of this season.