Good morning. Welcome into the Yon Inquirer podcast. It is Jeremy Warner, Kyle Tosk.

Had some Wi-Fi issues that's Safe Farm Center, so we're doing this a couple hours later,

but we got some rest.

Got to watch the game again.

Wasn't much better on a second look, Kyle, as Illinois, really, you put it well, a sobering loss to 84 to 70 to number three, Michigan.

The Wolverines had as big as a 21 point lead in the second

half. Kyle, that was a revved up state farm center. Kudos of the Illinois fans for bringing the

energy. A lot pointed towards Merez Johnson Jr. What a fantastic game. He bottled it all up,

19 points, 11 rebounds. But that Michigan front court absolutely

dominated Illinois. And I think the hard thing to take, Kyle, is after some close, excruciating

losses, some missed opportunities, you went up against one of the best teams in the country.

And one of the teams looked like a national title contender and it wasn't you.

This looked like Dusty May had one of the best builds in the country and a roster that Illinois

could not handle.

We'll talk about some of the things that kept them from competing in this one, but Michigan

looks like the national title favorite along with Duke while Illinois has lost four of six and we're wondering where they're going in March.

No doubt. This was a measuring stick game for Illinois. That's ultimately what it was going to be.

Obviously, the Big Ten title was not ultimately on the line in the way that Illinois hoped that it would be,

but this was a really meaningful game for Illinois,

really to show where they're at,

to welcome in,

who for my money is the national title favorite and the best team in the country

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