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2005 BIG TEN
MEN'S BASKETBALL
TOURNAMENT
Game One • March 10, 2005 • United Center • Chicago, Ill.
#8 Northwestern 58 (15-15), #9 Michigan 56 (13-18)
Northwestern advances to play No. 1 Illinois at 11 a.m. CST Friday

GAME NOTES

The No. 8 seed improves to 6-2 in games against No. 9 seeds. The No. 8 seed is 2-3 in quarterfinal games.

Northwestern improves to 4-7 in Big Ten Tournament games, including winning its last three in first round competition. The Wildcats also improve to 4-4 in first round contests and 3-5 in tournament games played at the United Center.

Michigan falls to 3-7 in Big Ten Tournament games (vacated 3-0 record from 1998 tournament due to NCAA sanctions), including a 1-5 mark in contests played in the United Center (vacated 3-0 record from 1998 tournament due to NCAA sanctions). In addition, the Wolverines drop to 1-3 in first round contests.

Today was the second meeting between Northwestern and Michigan in a Big Ten Tournament game. Michigan defeated Northwestern (72-51) in the 2002 first round played in Indianapolis, IN. Today was the third meeting between the two schools this season, with each team previously winning on its home floor during the regular season.

Both teams entered today's contest on two-game losing streaks. Michigan ends its season on a three-game losing skid.

Michigan's starting lineup of Ron Coleman, Dion Harris, Brent Petway, Graham Brown and Dani Wohl was the Wolverines' 16th different lineup combination of 2004-05.

Northwestern finished the game with seven fewer turnovers (NU 12, UM 19), marking the 17th time in the last 19 Big Ten Tournament games that the team with the fewest turnovers has been victorious.

This marks the eighth straight year that Northwestern has played a first round game (4-4). The Wildcats have never won a quarterfinal contest (0-3).

Courtney Sims scored a career-high 25 points (8-9 FG, 9-11 FT), besting his previous high of 19 set in games against Delaware State (12-29-04) and Michigan State (2-24-04). He also had six rebounds, four blocks, one steal and one assist. Sims' four blocks ties the school record for blocks in a Big Ten Tournament, marking the third time the feat was accomplished.

Northwestern's leading scorer Vedran Vukusic, who entered today's game averaging 17.2 ppg, was held scoreless on only one field goal attempt in the first half, playing only five minutes due to being whistled for two early fouls.

Vukusic scored his 500th point of the season on a 3-pointer at the 15:32 mark of the second half. Vukusic was whistled for his fifth foul of the game at the 3:48 mark. The junior posted season lows in points (7) and minutes played (15). His previous low was nine points (three times) and 25 minutes (at Michigan State). Vukusic scored 48 points combined in the previous two games vs. Michigan this year.

Northwestern's Mohamed Hachad netted 17 points (7-15 FG, 3-5 FT), marking the sixth straight game the junior guard posted double figures. The 17 points was one point shy of a career high of 18. He also grabbed seven rebounds, which was also one shy of his career high of eight.

Northwestern's Michael Jenkins posted career bests in steals (5) and assists (7). His previous high was four steals set in games against Ohio State (1-29-05) and Texas A&M-CC (2-14-05) and four assists accomplished against Iowa (2-12-05). Jenkins' five steals matches the fourth-best total in a single game in Big Ten Tournament history.

Northwestern won only its fifth game this season when trailing at the half (5-14). The Wildcats also improve to 3-0 in games decided by two points or less (W, 75-74 vs. Iowa in overtime and W, 55-53 at Minnesota) this season. In addition, Northwestern improved to 9-0 when holding opponents to 50-59 points.

Today marked the second time that Michigan lost by two points in a Big Ten Tournament opener. The No. 10 Wolverines fell to No. 7 Penn State (82-80) in the 2001 first round.

Michigan led 41-39 with 10:14 remaining, then Northwestern went on a 12-0 run during the next 3:07 to make the score 51-41 and never trailed after that.