Illinois coach Bruce Weber will spend four days immersed in preparation for No. 4 seed Michigan on Friday in the Big Ten tournament.
He already has determined U-M's greatest strength during its 8-3 season-ending push toward an NCAA tournament bid.
"The biggest thing is that (Tim) Hardaway (Jr.) has really raised his game," Weber said during Monday's Big Ten coaches teleconference. "He's their go-to guy. And I haven't studied the numbers strongly yet or in depth, but every game in this stretch it seems like he's getting 18-24 or more points. When you get a guy like that that's been getting consistent high numbers like that, it sure helps a team."
Hardaway has scored in double figures in each of his past 12 games, averaging 18.1 points during that span.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo also praised Hardaway.
"What he's done and the way he's done it, I think he's been the biggest asset," Izzo said. "(Zack) Novak has been good and (Darius) Morris has been good, but I think Hardaway has been the difference in the last 6-7-8 games."
Coach John Beilein attributed Hardaway's rise to his willingness to listen. He explained to Hardaway during a meeting that better shots and patience would improve his shooting. Hardaway's response: "Yes, sir."
"He did it immediately, and his shooting percentage has gone way up," Beilein said. "He has been extremely coachable from the very beginning, every day. It's fun to coach him."
• Izzo and Beilein didn't say much about the end-of-game interaction between MSU's Kalin Lucas and Morris.
Izzo: "It's ridiculous, there was nothing to it. There was jawing and that's about all I got out of it. I have no interest in talking about something that was a nonfactor."
Beilein: "I have talked with Darius a little bit about it and watched a little bit of film, but I'm not going to pursue anything more of it other than discuss it with him privately."
• Beilein said U-M will have a few days of rest early this week but maintain a "normal" schedule, practicing Thursday at home before leaving for Indianapolis.
'Fab Five' preview: There will be a sneak preview of first segment of ESPN Films’ “The Fab Five” documentary for ESPN Facebook fans at 7 tonight, followed by a live video chat with Jalen Rose.
Fans can watch the full 2-hour film at 9 p.m. Sunday on ESPN.
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