CHAMPAIGN - Michigan junior Courtney Sims had a rough start to the conference season, leaving many Wolverine fans wondering if he was up to the challenges that face a Big Ten post player.

If Saturday's game against Illinois is any indication, he just might be.

Sims tallied 16 points, recorded four boards and blocked two shots in Michigan's 79-74 loss to the Illini.

"I was just being more aggressive," Sims said. "Going up with my shots even though they were double-teaming me, trying to get better position in the low post."

Sims's play might finally allow the coaching staff to breathe easy. After dominating during the nonconference schedule, scoring double digits in all but two of 11 games, Sims probably had some high expectations coming into Michigan's Jan. 3 game against Indiana. But he struggled in that matchup and the Wolverines' game against Purdue, combining for 11 points on just seven attempted field goals.

The game against the Illini, however, provided a glimmer of hope for the rest of the year. Sims started off with some trouble, stymied on one of the Wolverines' opening possessions by the double-team, a tactic that UCLA used to stop him earlier in the season. But a few players later, Sims got himself in the swing of things.

Wolverines wing Lester Abram drove down the lane and got the ball to Sims, who scored and drew the foul. Sims hit the free throw, giving Michigan a 9-8 lead.

Sims's finest play came when he grabbed the largest advantage the Wolverines would hold all game. After receiving the ball down low, Sims backed down Illinois center Shaun Pruitt and sank a hook shot. In addition, Sims drew the foul and hit the shot to increase the lead to 16-12.

It wasn't all fun and games for Sims though. Late in the game, Illinois forward James Augustine rejected Sims on a key Michigan possession with one minute left.

Somewhat according to plan: After Abram missed the first two Big Ten games this season nursing a toe injury, trainers told Michigan coach Tommy Amaker that he could expect about 20 to 25 minutes out of the wing.

Things went just as expected, sort of.

Although he was out of the starting lineup for the third straight game, Abram saw 22 minutes of floor time. He scored five points and showed no signs of pain while out on the court.

But in the locker room, it was a different story.

"After the game, I took my shoes off, and it swelled up pretty bad," Abram said.

These rules they are a-changin'?: Michigan forward Graham Brown saw his time limited with four fouls. The same for Illinois forward James Augustine. Even worse, Illini forward Brian Randle fouled out.

Illinois coach Bruce Weber suggests it might be time for a rule change.

"It seems like every Big Ten game, the best big men get two fouls and they got to sit and they can't play," Weber said. "Whether it's (Michigan State's Paul) Davis, Augustine, (Indiana's Marco) Killingsworth, Sims, maybe we've got to look at six fouls. You want your best players on the court."

Notes: Michigan guard Daniel Horton moved into No. 25 of the all-time Michigan scoring list with 1,257 points. - Sims now places fourth in Wolverine history with 151 blocks. ... The game was sold out, with 16,618 fans in attendance.