Tweet Up: Michigan 64, Illinois 63
The Wolverines escaped their quarterfinal matchup in the Big Ten Tournament against a feisty Illinois squad, squeaking out a 64-63 victory, after a failed buzzer-beating attempt by the Fighting Illini. This is a chronological timeline of how the game played out on Twitter:
First Half:
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Jordan Morgan with the block...leads to a nice scoop by Stauskas.- Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) March 14, 2014
Looks like Illini (Rayvonte Rice) wants to crowd Stauskas a little more than first game.- Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) March 14, 2014
Caris LeVert made that pass at a 45-degree angle. Mister Fantastic better freakin' stick.- Ace Anbender (@AceAnbender) March 14, 2014
Robinson very aggressive early, like the past few weeks; First break 9-5 U-M, 14:57- Mark Snyder (@Mark__Snyder) March 14, 2014
After Morgan gets a strong rebound, Mitch McGary comes out to give him a high-five. Energy on both ends from Michigan.- Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) March 14, 2014
Perimeter jumpers are once again open for Michigan against Illinois. Wolverines up 9-5 early.- Brendan F. Quinn (@BFQuinn) March 14, 2014
One of my keys for Michigan was not to commit turnovers. So far, U-M has zero, while Illinois already has three.- Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) March 14, 2014
No signs of the blowout early ... Illinois has something for which to make up.- John Borton (@JB_Wolverine) March 14, 2014
Hammered this point before, will do again: teams that rely on forcing turnovers tend to die miserable deaths against Michigan.- Ace Anbender (@AceAnbender) March 14, 2014
.@zirvin21 enters the game, @zirvin21 knocks down a three. All is right in the world.- Michigan Basketball (@umichbball) March 14, 2014
Someone gave Zak Irvin Jeremy Gallon's invisibility cloak.- Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) March 14, 2014
Sitting right behind the bench and it's hard not to solely watch Dakich's celebratory antics the entire game.- Daniel Wasserman (@d_wasserman) March 14, 2014
Illinois doing a nice job of putting pressure on the rim, attacking the Michigan defense- Kyle Bogenschutz (@KyleBogie) March 14, 2014
U-M allowing far too much at the rim... Illinois realizing it's open on putbacks and drives- Mark Snyder (@Mark__Snyder) March 14, 2014
Michigan's defense looks out of sorts with this group. Late on rotations, wrong rotations. Miss Morgan in the middle.- Dylan Burkhardt (@umhoops) March 14, 2014
Does ESPN have a Mitch McGary camera today?- Brent Yarina (@BTNBrentYarina) March 14, 2014
Eight of Michigan's first 13 field-goal attempts have come from beyond the arc.- Brendan F. Quinn (@BFQuinn) March 14, 2014
Michigan student section is somewhere up there. pic.twitter.com/jJKC1kqKiG- Brendan F. Quinn (@BFQuinn) March 14, 2014
Can't believe I'm seeing Iowa fans here for today's first game- Dustin Johnston (@DJPhotoVideo) March 14, 2014
So far, McCormick looks like a prophet ... said Illinois will be a different team than last time.- John Borton (@JB_Wolverine) March 14, 2014
Michigan is 2/8 from three on mostly good looks. In fairness, Illinois has missed a couple open triples, too, but this favors U-M.- Ace Anbender (@AceAnbender) March 14, 2014
Illinois getting back into this game on the offensive glass and by driving the ball. U-M goes 1-3-1 first time, Nunn drive and mid-range J.- Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) March 14, 2014
Glenn Robinson III clearly has more confidence now. But when he's on Stauskas' side, the drive is always there. Illini won't help off, ever.- Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) March 14, 2014
Spike with the pull-up jumper? It's like that now?- Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) March 14, 2014
Sound the "confident GRIII three" alarm.- Ace Anbender (@AceAnbender) March 14, 2014
A good Glenn Robinson III is obviously the key to a deep #Michigan NCAA tourney run. I think Zak Irvin could play a big role, too.- Brent Yarina (@BTNBrentYarina) March 14, 2014
Irvin is struggling defensively in man-to-man. This is not terribly new.- Bry Mac (@Bry_Mac) March 14, 2014
Michigan's perimeter defense is extra bad today.- Joe Stapleton (@joe_stapes) March 14, 2014
The moment Stauskas realized that he could careen into traffic, get fouled, + get points = the "THE WORLD IS YOURS" moment in Scarface.- Jane Coaston (@cjane87) March 14, 2014
And here's the 1-3-1.- Ace Anbender (@AceAnbender) March 14, 2014
And here's a steal.- Ace Anbender (@AceAnbender) March 14, 2014
Stauskas and LeVert put on weight over the summer.
Drink.- Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) March 14, 2014
Dakich joins the "Michigan wants to push the pace" crowd. Michigan is one of the slowest teams in America.- Bry Mac (@Bry_Mac) March 14, 2014
Dakich joins the "Michigan wants to push the pace" crowd. Michigan is one of the slowest teams in America.- Bry Mac (@Bry_Mac) March 14, 2014
Couple of great decisions out of Derrick Walton. Found a wide open LeVert for three, just shooed Stauskas away & knocked down contested two- Kyle Bogenschutz (@KyleBogie) March 14, 2014
Illinois cannot play at this pace, can't do it. Michigan will score 90.- Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) March 14, 2014
Terrific drive and finish from Robinson in transition. Egwu tries to block it, comes down hard on that left wrist it appears. U-M 30-23.- Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) March 14, 2014
Best drive of the season by Glenn Robinson III -- goes coast-to-coast through traffic to score. Scouts droll. Michigan up 30-23.- Brendan F. Quinn (@BFQuinn) March 14, 2014
Tough play for Walton: Ball hits the top of the backboard so he mistimes his rebound jump, gets elbowed, called for the foul.- Neal Rothschild (@nrothschild3) March 14, 2014
When Glenn Robinson III is playing this way, he is completely indistinguishable from a MONSTAR.- Andy Reid (@AReid_Wolverine) March 14, 2014
Michigan is not a very good offensive rebounding team, but U-M has zero through the first 16 minutes. #OneAndDone- Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) March 14, 2014
John Groce switches to a 2-3. Stauskas kills it immediately with a pull-up triple.- Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) March 14, 2014
We've entered the "HORSE" portion of the game.- Bry Mac (@Bry_Mac) March 14, 2014
@joerexrode Just like Stauskas did the trip before ;)- Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) March 14, 2014
Caris LeVert...limbs made not of cartilage, but of titanium alloy.- Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) March 14, 2014
Michigan's key guys playing well. Stauskas with 12, Robinson 11, LeVert 8, all shooting at or better than 50 percent.- Neal Rothschild (@nrothschild3) March 14, 2014
Second Half:
Groce getting a little too close to Stauskas on the sideline pic.twitter.com/0xSwzgjiSz- Dustin Johnston (@DJPhotoVideo) March 14, 2014
LeVert with another triple, puts U-M up 41-33. He's scored the Wolverines' last 8 points.- Brendan F. Quinn (@BFQuinn) March 14, 2014
Stauskas starting to get some NBA-type continuation calls -- and John Groce isn't happy.- Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) March 14, 2014
That's absolutely on the floor, John Groce. But that's a 10 for sideline antics.- Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) March 14, 2014
Nik Stauskas jumper pushes Michigan lead to 11. Illinois calls TO, permitting Stauskas to stare down Illini fan section and clap.- Brian Hamilton (@BrianHamiltonSI) March 14, 2014
Illinois' Tracy Abrams scored 25 points in the win vs. Indiana yesterday. Michigan has held him to zero points today.- Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) March 14, 2014
After shooting 52 percent in the first half, Michigan is now 3-for-3 in the second half, with a 14-3 run bridging the halves.- Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) March 14, 2014
Audible midflight "yessir" on last Stauskas jumper. @Jbart20 in the arena?- mgoblog (@mgoblog) March 14, 2014
Michigan completely scorching Illinois' widely-applauded defense ... again ... shooting better than 57 percent.- Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) March 14, 2014
Watching LeVert dunk with those long, gangly arms is so much fun. It's like watching Gumby dunk or something. #claymation- Andy Reid (@AReid_Wolverine) March 14, 2014
Mike Tirico on Andrew Dakich's antics in the pregame huddle: "I've seen his father do that before in places I won't mention." Go on...- Greg Garno (@G_Garno) March 14, 2014
The Andrew Dakich Effect. MT @clubtrillion: 1st time seeing UM in person. Blown away by how they celebrate EVERY basket.- Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) March 14, 2014
Welcome to Sportscenter Not Top 10, Illinois.- Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) March 14, 2014
Never a good thing to give up points versus Michigan. Rayvonte Rice, in losing handle on wide open transition layup/dunk, does just that.- Brian Hamilton (@BrianHamiltonSI) March 14, 2014
Beilein summons Bielfeldt off the bike and into the game. "Moose!"- Neal Rothschild (@nrothschild3) March 14, 2014
Whisky Tango Foxtrot... https://t.co/sNXMyuYFYG- Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) March 14, 2014
Love running pick n rolls for @G_R_III from the elbow, allows him to just use first step to attack and not make a second move- Josh Bartelstein (@Jbart20) March 14, 2014
You can tell the guards aren't used to playing with Bielfeldt. Having a hard time getting screens right. Spike drills three anyway.- Ace Anbender (@AceAnbender) March 14, 2014
Illinois plays excellent defense for 65 seconds and then albrecht hits that three.- Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) March 14, 2014
Dakich begins celebration as ball is released https://t.co/ZFji3ftjeL- Daniel Wasserman (@d_wasserman) March 14, 2014
Jordan Morgan (3 fouls) checks back in for Michigan.- Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) March 14, 2014
...and Morgan picks up his fourth foul, in 12 seconds.- Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) March 14, 2014
Illinois fighting its tail off ... Michigan still not defending anyone.- Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) March 14, 2014
Here come the Illini. Cut Michigan lead to four and then Wolverines turn it over. John Beilein calls TO, 9:13 to go.- Brian Hamilton (@BrianHamiltonSI) March 14, 2014
Also UM is running the same action against Illinois zone it used vs Syracuse in Final Four- Josh Bartelstein (@Jbart20) March 14, 2014
It says a lot that, at this point of the game, John Groce has the true freshman Kendrick Nunn guarding Stauskus.- Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) March 14, 2014
Illinois giving Michigan fits. We'll find out down the stretch how motivated U-M is to be here. Not much to gain. pic.twitter.com/w6hwV0WUcr- Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) March 14, 2014
Glenn Robinson III doesn't make very many threes, but he seems to make them in critical spots.- Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) March 14, 2014
Albrecht with a very uncharacteristic turnover, Illinois at the line looking to tie this game up. Wow.- Kyle Bogenschutz (@KyleBogie) March 14, 2014
That was just Spike's 6th turnover since Big Ten play began- Daniel Wasserman (@d_wasserman) March 14, 2014
This zone is giving Michigan fits. The offense has become very stagnant with lots of passing around the perimeter and chucks.- Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) March 14, 2014
Going zone worked that time for Illinois. Rayvonte Rice stepped in front of pass, steal, but Illini get 1 of 2 FTs. Trail by one.- Brian Hamilton (@BrianHamiltonSI) March 14, 2014
Against all logic, Illinois goes zone against Michigan…and turnover, miss 3, missed FT, missed 3 follow. Illini up 59-58, 3:58 left.- Brian Hamilton (@BrianHamiltonSI) March 14, 2014
Chicago, Indianapolis … Michigan does not play well in this tournament. Illinois 59, Mich. 58 at 3:58.- Chris Balas (@Balas_Wolverine) March 14, 2014
Hoped I wouldn't have to bring this up, but no team's won the NCAA Tournament after losing its conf. tournament opener. U-M in trouble.- Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) March 14, 2014
This is all an elaborate plan by Michigan to get NCAA Tournament teams to play zone against it in games that matter. Next-level thinking.- Scott Bell (@sbell021) March 14, 2014
Jordan Morgan back in the game with 4 fouls. Michigan's defense is better when he's on the floor.- Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) March 14, 2014
Critical possession for Michigan with a LeVert offensive rebound leading to a 3-pointer by Walton. Tied at 61.- Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) March 14, 2014
Rayvonte Rice can take you from furious with him to thrilled in a 3.2 seconds.- Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) March 14, 2014
Michigan's close to dipping below 1.100 PPP. Michigan hasn't won a game in which it's been that inefficient since the B1G opener.- Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) March 14, 2014
Amazing that Illinois is getting it done with that zone. Illinois ball, up 63-61, 1:33 left.- Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) March 14, 2014
Love to see LeVert demanding the rock and Stauskas driving hard. Also nice of Illinois to play man there.- Ace Anbender (@AceAnbender) March 14, 2014
Tracy Abrams has been terrific for Illinois. He has 11 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists- Kyle Bogenschutz (@KyleBogie) March 14, 2014
Inexplicable that Michigan can watch the 2-3 and suck so bad at preventing penetration and not try it- mgoblog (@mgoblog) March 14, 2014
Michigan's defense forces an Illinois shot clock violation.- Michigan Basketball (@umichbball) March 14, 2014
That, right there, is why Jordan Morgan should've been B1G All-Defense.- Ace Anbender (@AceAnbender) March 14, 2014
#WinTheGame please- Scott Bell (@sbell021) March 14, 2014
Michigan's best -- and maybe only -- defensive trip of the day. Also rough stuff by Illinois.- Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) March 14, 2014
Jordan Morgan with a perfect job of doubling Abrams there, joining Walton, and Abrams couldn't see anything. Put a prayer off backboard.- Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) March 14, 2014
This game has taught us just how much Michigan's defense relies on the presence of Jordan Morgan in the middle.- Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) March 14, 2014
Jordan Morgan scores on a pick-and-roll pass fro Stauskas and Michigan takes a 64-63 lead with 7.9 seconds left.- Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) March 14, 2014
Also, thank you, Illinois, for playing man-to-man defense there after shutting down Michigan completely with the zone.- Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) March 14, 2014
Also, Illinois just wasting time before calling the timeout in the halfcourt ... yikes.- Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) March 14, 2014
Illinois ball down one with 3.0 seconds left. Same position Michigan was in at Purdue when Robinson won it.- Chris Balas (@Balas_Wolverine) March 14, 2014
JORDAN MORGAN WITH THE GAME WINNER- Maize Rage (@UMMaizeRage) March 14, 2014
So Morgan gets the roll that he didn't get against IU, and Abrams missed the Darius Morris vs. Duke lane floater. CASH ALL THE KARMA CHIPS!- Bry Mac (@Bry_Mac) March 14, 2014
That was... Groce.
/sunglasses- mgoblog (@mgoblog) March 14, 2014
Postgame:
#ExhaleToTheVictors- LG (@LanceGordon) March 14, 2014
What a game them boys in the maize lets GO BLUE!!!!!!!!- Denard Robinson (@DenardX) March 14, 2014
With that, a Michigan class has 100 wins in four years for just the third time in school history. 104 for 1989, 100 for 1988 and 2014.- Griffin Hickman (@griffinhickman) March 14, 2014
Michigan getting pretty good -- and lucky -- at pulling these games out. Good lesson. Next time, I bet they bust that zone better.- Bob Wojnowski (@bobwojnowski) March 14, 2014
Hey @umichbball - let's win games but not in "hysterical coronary" fashion.- Jane Coaston (@cjane87) March 14, 2014
JMo with the game winner pic.twitter.com/9X7mR9cwW0- Dustin Johnston (@DJPhotoVideo) March 14, 2014
After struggling down the stretch of several games in non-conference, this team has been so money in close games since. #GOBLUE- David Merritt (@DavidMerritt15) March 14, 2014
It wasn't pretty but that's a W and Michigan is playing tomorrow pic.twitter.com/n8pekwC3Ub- Dustin Johnston (@DJPhotoVideo) March 14, 2014
And I take back everything I said about Groce not being photogenic pic.twitter.com/MHrVVsCj7E- Dustin Johnston (@DJPhotoVideo) March 14, 2014
Game-winning assist from Nik Stauskas #B1GTourney pic.twitter.com/wiqgrnuz4T- Dustin Johnston (@DJPhotoVideo) March 14, 2014
See you tomorrow, Indy. https://t.co/ygdiigxmuf- Michigan Basketball (@umichbball) March 14, 2014
Michigan wins the first Illinois matchup by 31. The second by 1. Big Ten in a nutshell.- Mark Snyder (@Mark__Snyder) March 14, 2014
Fantastic. Horford being Horford. McGary being McGary. RT @DJPhotoVideo: McGary after JMo's go ahead shot went in pic.twitter.com/FTnx2cG4vH- Drew Hallett (@DrewCHallett) March 14, 2014
Michigan now has 6 1-3 Pt Ws, tied for most by any team in BPI Top 100. Partially explains why Michigan is #21 in BPI, lower than perception- Alok Pattani (@AlokPattaniESPN) March 14, 2014
Morgan says Stauskas said in the huddle that he was "going to shoot it regardless." Wisely made the read and the passed it up- Daniel Wasserman (@d_wasserman) March 14, 2014