Well.. Technically We Won

After the final buzzer went off in last night's game against the Illini, we had more points on the scoreboard than they did. That's about the extent of our victory, because the entire game was a miserable performance by both sides.

A few examples..

• The teams combined to shoot 31% from the field, with Michigan shooting 30%

• Michigan's leading scorers were Manny Harris (14) and Kelvin Grady (12)

• Illinois' were Calvin Brock (12) and Trent Meacham (11)

• Midway through the second half, there was a gripping five minute stretch where Michigan outscored Illinois  4-0. In five minutes.

• Illinois has an eight and a half minute field goal drought for most of the tail end of the second half.

• There were 26 turnovers in the game (Illinois 16, Michigan 10)

• Michigan shot an incredible 24% from three point range (5-21).. Illinois shot 32% (6-19)

• The final score was 49-43. Forty Nine to Forty Three. Neither team scored fifty points. That happened in ONE other game yesterday, and that one involved a team called Bethune-Cookman.

So really, we didn't 'win' so much as we played absolutely terrible basketball against a team that somehow played worse basketball than we did. But I'll take it, a win is a win an we've won four of our last five.

Hopefully we can start winning because of our skill again, however, instead of our opponents lack thereof.

Michigan tips off against Northwestern on Tuesday, and let's hope it goes something like the first time we played them this season.

Photo Courtesy: AP/Tony Ding