Michigan officially postpones game vs. Illinois as part of 'return-to-play planning'
Michigan’s men’s basketball team has postponed a highly-anticipated game vs. Illinois as it attempts to return from a COVID-19 shutdown.
The game was set to take place on Feb. 11 and the schools will try to reschedule, per a release from the Wolverines.
🔭 SCHEDULE UPDATE 🔭
After U-M's pause & part of its return-to-play planning, the Illinois (Feb. 11) game will be postponed; work will begin with Big Ten for rescheduling options
Release | https://t.co/13Ihcc0Zz1
Schedule | https://t.co/XXyqVQX7rT#GoBlue 〽️🏀#HailFromHome pic.twitter.com/9WSFi30QyA— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) February 6, 2021
Michigan’s athletic department went on pause on Jan. 23 after the program detected a COVID-19 variant. Michigan has not played since a Jan. 22 victory over Purdue.
The Wolverines are in the midst of one of their best seasons in recent memory, which is saying something considering the standard at that program is high. Even throughout the pause, Michigan has remained at No. 3 in KenPom.com’s rankings.
Michigan will be in the mix for a No. 1 seed on Selection Sunday if it proves it hasn’t lost a step once able to return to play. According to the Bracket Matrix, the Wolverines are currently a No. 1 seed along with Gonzaga, Baylor and Villanova.
Michigan’s next game is Feb. 14 against Wisconsin.