Big fouls lead to small lineup; Blue needs new road mentality

By Raphael Goodstein

Daily Sports Writer

CHAMPAIGN - The Michigan men's basketball team reached a new low in Saturday's 80-51 loss at No. 7 Illinois - literally. After center Josh Asselin fouled out with four minutes left in the game - the third Michigan center to foul out - the Wolverines were forced to play guards Gavin Groninger, Avery Queen, Maurice Searight and Bernard Robinson and small forward LaVell Blanchard. It was the shortest lineup Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe has played all season.

"I think the officials got to a point where there were some hard fouls and they wanted to get control of things. Maybe they got a little overzealous," Ellerbe said.

With the Wolverines' interior players in foul trouble, the Fighting Illini's Brian Cook was able to tally 17 points and seven rebounds in only 18 minutes of play. Illinois rested its sophomore center for most of the second half because it held a commanding lead.

Road woes: Michigan's loss was its fifth-straight loss on the road, a streak that dates back to last year's 114-63 loss at Michigan State. This streak does not count Michigan's 31-point loss to Maryland, a "neutral-site" game that was played in Washington, D.C., close to the Terrapins' home.

"I think a lot of times we don't come out ready to play with the type intensity you need on the road," sophomore guard Gavin Groninger said. "We needed to match or better the intensity of Illinois on the road and we didn't come out and do that."

The Illini opened the game on a 15-4 run.

"I don't know what it is," Ellerbe said. "We had a good game plan, the coaches did an excellent job scouting this week."

Michigan's next two games are at Ohio State and at Iowa. Iowa beat Illinois, 78-62, last week at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Messed around and got a triple-double: Senior small forward Sergio McClain had a good day Saturday, recording the first triple-double in Illinois history. McClain scored 10 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out 11 assists.

"I kept telling the guys, 'One more, just one more,"' said McClain, who recorded the last two assists in the game's wanning moments.

Maybe as impressive as McClain's triple-double was his defense on Michigan forward LaVell Blanchard. Blanchard was held to two field goals in the first half.

"If he wants to be the best defensive player in the league, he's gotta be able to guard the best player on the other team," Illinois coach Bill Self said. "Defense is his strength and anything we can get from him offensively is just an extra bonus."

The Assassin: Senior center Josh Asselin was the most hated Wolverine on the court Saturday by the Illinois crowd. Asselin hammered Illinois center Marcus Griffin on a layup in the first half that bruised Griffin's tailbone and ended his night.

"When he hit me, he took my legs out from under me and I hit the ground," Griffin said. "It hurts bad, but in two days I'll be fine." Griffin should be able to play when Illinois travels to Northwestern in two days.

Going Gonzo: Redshirted freshman quarterback Jermaine Gonzales will likely join the Wolverines later this week. Gonzales played with fellow freshman Maurice Searight in high school at Orchard Lake St. Mary's.

MARJORIE MARSHALL/Daily

Freshman point guard Avery Queen misses one of his five 3-point shots. Queen finished the game with three points.