CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Tim Hardaway Jr. had 25 points and 11 rebounds to help keep No. 13 Michigan in the Big Ten title race with a 72-61 win over Illinois on Thursday night.
 
      Trey Burke added 21 points for Michigan (22-8, 12-5), which led throughout.
 
      Illinois (17-13, 6-11) closed to within 40-39 with just over 15 minutes left. But the Illini missed three chances to tie the game or take a lead.
 
      The Wolverines stretched the lead to 53-44 with 7:49 to play and Illinois was never close again. Michigan can claim a share of the conference title with a win Sunday over Penn State and an Ohio State win over Michigan State.
 
      Meyers Leonard led Illinois with 18 points and nine rebounds. Illinois' Brandon Paul added 15 points