There is a real burden involved when you carry a name that everyone recognizes. Just ask stock car racer Dale Earnhardt Jr., who could explain how weighty a name can be.

Freshman guard Tim Hardaway Jr. came to Ann Arbor knowing that no matter where he went, the name would be instantly recognizable to basketball fans. He is the son of the former NBA great of the same name, who was one of the game's best point guards and a player who scored more than 15,000 points in his career and handed out more than 7,000 assists.

The younger Hardaway came to Michigan where he joined the sons of three other former NBA players -- Jon Horford, Jordan Dumars, and Josh Bartelstein. Even with the strength of numbers, the spotlight has been brightest on Hardaway. He has been the biggest contributor of the group.

In a recent Big Ten win over Indiana, Hardaway Jr. made 9 of 11 shots from the field, including four 3-pointers, and four free throws on his way to a career-high 26 points. Hardaway, who earlier this season had a double-double against Northwestern, drew the praise of Indiana coach Tom Crean.

"He punked our guys," Crean said. "He's good ... he's become a shot-maker. Earlier in the season, he was a shot-taker."

Hardaway Jr. is one major reason the Wolverines, despite being the youngest team in the Big Ten and the 19th youngest in the country in Division I, find themselves in the middle of the Big Ten standings. He also had a lot to do with Michigan traveling to Illinois with wins in five of its last six Big Ten games.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
The Wolverines were down by 10 at the half, and a furious comeback fell just short as Michigan suffered a 54-52 defeat at Illinois. The loss ended a three-game winning streak for the Wolverines (16-11, 6-8), who had won five of their previous six games. Michigan shot only 11 percent from outside the arc (2-of-18). Freshman F Jordan Morgan led the Wolverines with 12 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore PG Darius Morris had 11 points, while freshman G Tim Hardaway Jr. added 10 points.

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