Coming into the game, Michigan had started to see signs from freshman forward Isaiah Livers growing as a player.
Today, freshman guard Jordan Poole joined him on a crucial run in the first half to keep the Wolverines afloat and eventually sail off to a victory.
U-M (14-3, 3-1 Big Ten) topped Illinois (10-7, 0-4) 79-69 on the back 12-2 run from Matthews and Poole in the first half while some of the Wolverines starters were in foul trouble.
With the win, U-M won their seventh consecutive game and remained perfect at home with a 8-0 record at the Crisler Center.