2011 Big Ten Conference Tournament – Illinois Fighting Illini vs Michigan Wolverines
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Illinois vs. Michigan Matchup
Date/Time: Friday, March 11, 2:25 PM ET
Venue: Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Broadcast: ESPN
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Michigan Wolverines Betting Lines from 2BetDSI
Money Line: Off
Spread: Illinois -3
Over/Under: 126
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The Illinois Fighting Illini came into this season with pretty high expectations, and they have certainly fallen short of them thus far. The experts expected Michigan to have a down year, but they have actually made some solid progress. This is a crucial game for both teams NCAA Tournament hopes. Illinois is probably in right now, but a loss would put them in jeopardy of missing a second straight NCAA Tournament.
The Wolverines are right on the bubble, and they probably need a win as well. Which team will pick up that key victory in Indianapolis?
The Fighting Illini have plenty of talent, but their team chemistry has been lacking a bit this year. Bruce Weber coached teams usually are ready for every situation, but this team has been on the wrong end of a lot of close games this year. Demetri McCamey is a very good point guard, though he hasn’t had the huge season some were predicting.
Mike Davis isn’t spectacular in the post, but he is a consistent hard worker who does a nice job on both ends of the floor. Brandon Paul, D.J. Richardson, and Jereme Richmond are three guards who have been great at times, but pretty bad at other times. They are all young, but Illinois is going to need solid production from them in this key game. 
Michigan is a very young team, but they have matured a lot through the course of the season. This group seems to really be buying into John Beilein’s system. How good have they been at the end of the season? Michigan has won six of their last eight games, and they are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games.
The key to Michigan’s success has been the development of Darius Morris at the point guard spot. Morris is averaging 15 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds per game. He shoots nearly 50% from the floor and does a good job taking care of the basketball. Tim Hardaway Jr. is just a freshman, but he has come on strong at the end of the year.
Hardaway has scored 20 points or more in four of their last six games.
Trends:
Under is 16-5 in ILL last 21 Fri. games.
Over is 8-3 in ILL last 11 neutral site games.
ILL are 21-10 ATS in their last 31 Fri. games.
MICH are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
MICH are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 vs. Big Ten.
Over is 6-2 in MICH last 8 overall.
The Pick:
The one meeting these teams had during the year was a two point win for Illinois on their home floor. I expect this one to stay close the entire way. I like Michigan and the three points here, because I think this one goes down to the last shot.
Prediction: Illinois 64 Michigan 63
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