No. 22 Michigan beats Illinois 70-61

By Noah Trister

Associated Press

Published: Sunday, Feb. 12 2012 1:35 p.m. MST

Illinois center Meyers Leonard (12) dunks over Michigan forward Jordan Morgan (52) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012.

Carlos Osorio, Associated Press

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Summary

Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 15 points and Evan Smotrycz added 13, helping No. 22 Michigan remain unbeaten at home with a 70-61 win over Illinois on Sunday.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 15 points and Evan Smotrycz added 13, helping No. 22 Michigan remain unbeaten at home with a 70-61 win over Illinois on Sunday.

Trey Burke added 14 points for the Wolverines (19-7, 9-4 Big Ten), but it was Smotrycz and Hardaway who provided a big lift by shaking off their shooting slumps in the first half. Hardaway entered the game shooting 19 percent from 3-point range in conference play. Smotrycz wasn't much better at 24 percent, but they each went 2 for 2 from beyond the arc before halftime.

Brandon Paul led Illinois (16-9, 5-7) with 21 points and Tyler Griffey added 18. The Fighting Illini have lost six of seven and are on the NCAA tournament bubble despite wins over Ohio State and Michigan State.

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