No. 1 Michigan escapes No. 9 Illinois, 64-63
(AP) Jordan Morgan scored on a layup with 7.9 seconds left, giving No. 8 Michigan a 64-63 victory over Illinois in Friday’s Big Ten tournament. The Illini had a chance to win on Tracy Abrams’ shot, but it bounced off the front of the rim as the final buzzer sounded.
Michigan (24-7), the regular season champion, advances to Saturday’s semifinals with its seventh straight win. It will face either fourth-seeded Nebraska or fifth-seeded Ohio State – two teams it has not lost to this season. The Buckeyes and Cornhuskers play later Friday.
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- Michigan Wolverines guard Caris LeVert (23) dunks against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
- Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kendrick Nunn (25) goes up for a shot against the Michigan Wolverinces in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
- Michigan Wolverines guard Nik Stauskas (11) makes a pass against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
- Michigan Wolverines bench reacts to Michigan scoring a three pointer against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
- Mar 14, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Nik Stauskas (11) goes up for a shot against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Michigan defeats Illinois 65-64. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
- Mar 14, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Caris LeVert (23) and forward Glenn Robinson III (1) scramble for a loose ball against Illinois Fighting Illini forward Nnanna Egwu (32) in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Michigan defeats Illinois 65-64. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
- Mar 14, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines react as the Illinois Fighting Illini miss the potential winning shot at the buzzer in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Michigan defeats Illinois 65-64. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
- Mar 14, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Jordan Morgan (52) posts up against Illinois Fighting Illini forward Nnanna Egwu (32) in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Michigan defeats Illinois 65-64. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
- Mar 14, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Jordan Morgan (52) makes the game winning shot with under 8 seconds to go in the game against Illinois Fighting Illini guards Kendrick Nunn (25) and Rayvonte Rice (24) in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Michigan defeats Illinois 65-64. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
- Mar 14, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Nik Stauskas (11) makes a pass to forward Jordan Morgan (52) who makes the game winning shot with under 8 seconds to go in the game against Illinois Fighting Illini guardsKendrick Nunn (25) in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Michigan defeats Illinois 65-64. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
- Mar 14, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini players guard Tracy Abrams (13) , right, and forward Nnanna Egwu (32) react after the quarterfinals of the Big Ten college basketball tournament against the Michigan Wolverines at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Michigan won, 65-64. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
- Mar 14, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Illinois vs Michigan. Illinois head coach John Groce talks stradegy with his team during a second half time-out during their game against Michigan. Michigan went on to win, 65-64. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports