Why Michigan looked so ordinary against Illinois and the lessons it can learn Updated Mar 03, 2021; Facebook Share ANN ARBOR -- Michigan has looked scary good for much of the Big Ten season. The two losses, most recently Tuesday’s against Illinois, have been nightmares. Juwan Howard said reviewing the tape would be a “horror film.” What transpired at Crisler Center on Tuesday was a surprise for several reasons. Michigan had won seven straight, the last two by 16 and 22 points. Illinois was without its best player. Yet the Wolverines were flat from the opening tip, couldn’t find any offensive rhythm, and got buried midway through the second half.