Janelle Cooper scored 24 points, Ashley Jones had perhaps her best game as a collegian with nine points and 11 rebounds, and the Michigan women's basketball team in general gave it their best effort. And as in the previous 15 games, it proved to be insufficient as Illinois left Ann Arbor with a 67-57 win. Michigan finishes the Big Ten regular season with el zippo wins and 16 losses, and their overall record for the 2005-06 campaign is 6-22.

Michigan gets at least one more game, in the Big Ten tournament against Indiana. With a currently active roster of just nine players, only seven of whom really get much playing time, the Wolverines are at a severe disadvantage. Oh, and they already lost to Indiana once this season. Hope remains alive, though, and we will see what we will see.

I give this team all the credit in the world for their effort and for never giving up. They were dealt a very difficult hand and they have done all they could to succeed. I know it is little consolation to the players or the coaches, but sometimes you just have to be satisfied that you gave the best you had to give and then move forward.

The Sports Desk wishes Coach Burnett and the team best of luck in the Big Ten tournament and a much better 2006-07. With all players from this season returning, great improvement will definitely happen.