BIG TEN TOURNAMENT SECOND ROUND: Thankfully, everyone in Michigan’s traveling party escaped injury when its plane aborted takeoff and ran off the runway Wednesday. The Wolverines’ trip was to D.C. was postponed until this morning, yet tip-off remains at lunchtime. The line has shrunk only two points to 4.5. UM might need more time to focus on basketball. It claims the better team, but the Illini split the regular-season series courtesy of a decisive 16-point victory at home. I'm on the underdog.

BIG TEN TOURNAMENT SECOND ROUND: My simulations suggest the surging Wolverines are headed toward a double-figure win Thursday when they face the Fighting Illini in the Big 10 Tournament. Michigan used hot shooting to win six of its last eight games and finish 10-8 in regular-season play. The Wolverines made 14 of 27 three-pointers in their season-ending win at Nebraska. Illinois won four of its last five but finished with a loss at Rutgers. The Illini lack the firepower to keep up with surging Michigan.