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Illinois Vs. Michigan: Wolverines Host Fighting Illini In Big Ten Game

Michigan looking to keep pace in the Big Ten standings.

The No. 22 Michigan Wolverines (18-7, 8-4) will try to string together two wins in a row when they host the Illinois Fighting Illini (16-8, 5-6) on Sunday afternoon.

Michigan hasn't won two in a row since beating Wisconsin and Northwestern in consecutive games in early January. Since then they have alternated between wins and losses for the last eight games. Six of those eight games were on the road, so returning to Crisler Arena should help Michigan's effort to break the trend.

Coach John Beilein has been utilizing a small lineup over the past seven games, adding guard Stu Douglass to the mix with leaving Jordan Morgan as the only true front court player. Michigan will have to dictate the style of play for that lineup to succeed against Illinois with 7'-1" sophomore center Meyers Leonard turning into an impact player for the Illini.

Illinois has been struggling through Big Ten play of late, though. The Fighting Illini have lost five of their last six games including running out of gas at Indiana on Thursday. The one win they have in the last six was over Michigan State which shows their ability to play with any team in the league.

The game is schedule for a 1:00 p.m. ET tip and will be televised on CBS.

For more on the Michigan Wolverines, check out Maize n Brew. You can also head over to SB Nation’s main NCAABasketball hub at SBNation.com/NCAA-Basketball.