Michigan 60, Illinois 55
INDIANAPOLIS (WWJ/AP) - Tim Hardaway, Jr. hits a critical 3-pointer to give the Wolverines the lead with just over a minute to play, giving U-M an edge they wouldn't relinquish, beating Illinois 60-55 Friday.
Down by 12 points at one point the Wolverines battled back to tie and take the lead with the freshman Hardaway's 3 point shot.
Darius Morris scored eight of his 17 points in the final eight minutes Friday, leading Michigan back from a nine- point deficit to beat Illinois 60-55 in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals.
As heard on WWJ's Post Game show with Tony Ortiz - U-M coach John Beilein spoke about the turning point in the game: "We had some terrible turn-overs ...(we knew we had to) hang in there, hang in there," says Beilein.
"Zack Novak-if we had to put the game on the line...Zack is going to be the guy I go to," added Beilein when asked about Novak's play in the game.
Wolverines coach Beilein beat the tourney's winningest team, won his 1,000th game as a head coach and set up a semifinal date Saturday with No. 1 Ohio State.
Mike Tisdale, Demetri McCamey and Brandon Paul each scored 10 points to lead the Fighting Illini (19-13). It's only the second time in 14 years that Illinois did not advance to the semis.
After closing the first half on a 17-4 run, the Illini didn't let Michigan (20-12) get closer than seven until Morris took over late.
Morris tied the score at 51 with 3:24 left, and Tim Hardaway Jr.'s 3-pointer with 1:42 left finally gave Michigan a 56-53 lead and they didn't look back.
Michigan will play again Saturday against Ohio State. Listen live on WWJ Newsradio 950 and then with Tony Ortiz on the Post-Game Show.
(Copyright 2011 by WWJ Newsradio 950. All Rights Reserved.)
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
