Michigan basketball was desperately in need of a boost Saturday against Illinois and the Wolverines, who have been free falling needed a win against the Fighting Illini, badly.
And once we saw Isaiah Livers warm-up and work his way into the starting lineup, it seemed like there was a better chance of getting it. Livers wasn’t necessarily himself early on, but he did score seven points and drilled a clutch 3-pointer in the second half that gave the Wolverines a one-point lead.
That was the high point but minutes later Livers re-aggravated his injury and it seemed to suck the life out of Michigan basketball.