Michigan basketball never led Sunday and though it kept mounting a comeback, Illinois answered every run.
Alfonso Plummer scored 26 points (23 in the first half) and sunk six 3-pointers and Kofi Cockburn scored 27 to push the No. 14 Illini past the Wolverines, 93-85, at Crisler Center. Trent Frazier (17 points) hit the dagger 3-pointer with 45 seconds left to give Illinois an 87-80 cushion.
DeVante' Jones led four double-digit scorers for Michigan with 25 points, and Hunter Dickinson supplied 13 points and 11 rebounds, who were again without suspended head coach Juwan Howard with associate head coach Phil Martelli filling in.