The last time that Michigan had been in Champaign before Tuesday nights blowout loss to the

Illini, it was the final week of last regular season. Of course, Michigan was coming off a

remarkable win, the overtime victory over Wisconsin that certainly did not get Michigan into

the NCAA tournament at that point, but it put them in position to be in position.

Two tough road games at Illinois and then at Indiana to try to add to their tournament resume before heading to the Big Ten tournament.

What transpired down the stretch last season, of course, double overtime loss, single overtime loss,

and then a blowout defeat at the hands of Rutgers ending Michigan's chance to make the tournament.

Obviously, that was a very different time for Michigan basketball.

They were contenders.

They were trying to find their way into the NCAA tournament,

whereas this Tuesday night's matchup with the Illini, it felt almost certain from the start.

Just because of the way this season is gone for Michigan, Illinois came to Ann Arbor last month,

and won by 15. They pulled away in the second half, plus 14, without their best player.

One of the best players in the country in Terrence Shannon Jr. Shannon played in this one.

And what transpired was what you'd expect. Shannon two points shy of a career high. He had 31.

He was dominant. He was a key part to their 16 to two run to finish the first half.

And Illinois was putting in deep reserves by about the four-minute mark of the second half.

It's certainly a grave reminder of what was and what is right now for Michigan basketball.

This is a mid-February stretch where Michigan very much is, to most people, playing out the string.

They are way out of NCAA tournament conversation.

They're last place in the Big Ten.

Yet, there was a lot of hustle, a lot of heart, a lot of positive reinforcement.

...