Michigan 66 Ohio State 70
[Marc-Grégor Campredon]
Ohio State muscled their way to the basket, then missed, then rebounded, picked up a foul, and made their free throws. Then Michigan attempted a three. That could be how the game ended, or any possession in a one-way physical battle that might have elbowed Michigan out of a place in the tournament. In fact I wrote it with six minutes left in the game. I get no points.
In a game expected to come down to whose backup center spent more time on the floor Michigan couldn’t keep its starter out there for more than five minutes. Unable to win battles in the paint Michigan lived and died by its three-point shooting while Ohio State owned the boards, taking 16/33 offensive rebound opportunities and 26/33 on their own end. The numerous second opportunities on Michigan’s side led to a lot of fouls, putting the Wolverines’ best frontcourt defenders on the bench and exacerbating the mismatches down low.
Derrick Walton continued his inspiring play since the Illinois “white collar” comment, leading all scorers with 25 points and nearly his team to a late comeback. Walton finished 6/9 from distance (a possible 7th was called a two-pointer could have gone either way). He also led the Michigan defensive effort with 10 rebounds, including his team’s first OREB of the game late in the 1st half, when he out-leapt even his own center:
[Campredon]
Walton also drove to nearly tie it right before freethrowtime, missing both a tough layup and his attempted put-back. After Ohio State missed two free throws—just their third and fourth whiffed freebies of the game—Walton again put Michigan within one with his last three-pointer. That would do it for Wolverine scoring; Ohio State made their next four attempts to finish 24 for 28 at the charity stripe.
Michigan started on a 9-2 run and pushed it as far as 19-8 early. But Ohio State battled back to a 36-35 halftime lead by dominating the boards on both ends despite their own foul troubles. The Buckeyes’ 10-1 first half advantage in offensive rebounds was augmented by an uncharacteristic six turnovers for Michigan, half off the hands of Irvin.
Matters got worse early in the first half as both Moe Wagner and D.J. Wilson quickly picked up their third fouls. Ohio State took advantage, pushing their lead to 47-39 by the next break as their frontcourt feasted on Donnal and Robinson. Wagner came back in at the 15 minute mark but immediately picked his fourth whistle, putting Donnal back on the floor. Moe would enter again late, fouling out on Michigan’s last wrap-up in the waning seconds. Teske did not play.
Michigan has its other, more basketbally rival coming to town for a night game this week. It’s hard to see this team making the tournament if they’re as accommodating to those guests too.
February 4th, 2017 at 8:52 PM ^
Well, that picture says it all.
February 4th, 2017 at 9:05 PM ^
February 4th, 2017 at 9:32 PM ^
February 4th, 2017 at 11:45 PM ^
Walton and Wilson are hot messes right now, and Wilson has just been mediocre the last two games.
Stat of the game: Michigan's three bigs that played a combined 64 minutes got 2 combined defensive rebounds. 2 !!!!!!!!!!!!
And if you include Robinson which accounts for 88 minutes, the four combined for 3 defensive rebounds.
OSU had three players that had more rebounds ON THAT SIDE OF THE FLOOR than our bigs COMBINED.
Ugh. It is time for Beilein to step down. That's all coaching and effort. If you can't bring it at home against a rival...
February 5th, 2017 at 12:13 AM ^
February 4th, 2017 at 8:57 PM ^
I'm not saying this to defend Beilein because - even as a staunch backer of his - it's getting harder and harder to do so, but whatever our frustration with Donnal is, the coach's is probably that times a thousand. That said, I'm more and more certain that Teske isn't the answer right now or else we might've seen him more. Admittedly I have no evidence to support this other than the Indiana football game where O'Korn started in place of Speight, so... yeah. :P
February 4th, 2017 at 10:22 PM ^
In the limitted time we've seen Teske, he was servicable without being a liability. At this point Donnal is clearly a liability, I can't see a reason not to play Teske.
February 4th, 2017 at 10:39 PM ^
in his very limited meaningful minutes in the B1G, he's been completely lost. Major liability. That said, Donnal has hit rock bottom. And we're nearing the stage where getting young guys experience is more important than trying to make the tourney.
Sad for Walton who has stepped it up that his senior year is likely to end here.
February 4th, 2017 at 11:02 PM ^
would play a 4'-8" tall dude over Donnal.
February 4th, 2017 at 10:27 PM ^
I think the issue with Teske is he's probably not comfortable with the offense, and Beilein at least knows what he has in Donnal on that side. It isn't "good", but I think most coaches will stick with a guy who has been in the system over a freshman if the freshman isn't markedly better on one end of the court. Teske has more potential, but I'm assuming he's not better than Donnal in practice, and that's probably informing Beilein's decision-making right now.
February 4th, 2017 at 8:56 PM ^
Maybe the silver lining is this win by OSU buys Matta another season and this loss by us is the last spark of kindling to ignite the much needed butt-kicking we apparently need? Full disclosre - I'm 100% spitballing here.
February 4th, 2017 at 10:41 PM ^
to light the fire and none have done the trick. South Carolina, Va Tech, Iowa, Illinios (which actually worked for a couple games!), MSU....
February 5th, 2017 at 6:31 AM ^
February 5th, 2017 at 9:06 AM ^
February 5th, 2017 at 10:30 AM ^
Crisler was full [or at least nearly full for the game.
i suggest that if this continues that Michigan should host a t least a couple of rounds in the NIT
February 4th, 2017 at 8:59 PM ^
Michigan would be a leader in two areas- senior inefficiency, and pts per possession by freshman .050
February 4th, 2017 at 9:11 PM ^
Because our current crop of Freshmen are MAC Level. You can say that about most of the roster.
Donnal
Duncan
MAAR
All belong in the MAC. It's clear, JB got lucky with his Burke and McGary classes.
February 4th, 2017 at 9:43 PM ^
February 4th, 2017 at 9:51 PM ^
with respect to Watson, that falls on the staff. We needed a wing that can create off the dribble and defend. Watson is an extremely limited ballhandler that does not have a great motor. He only shot 32.4% from distance during EYBL. The staff definitely whiffed on that one.
With regard to X, don't think that was a misevaluation, as much as a bad fit for the system we run. X produced against top notch competition during EYBL and has shown ability to to score in half court sets. However, he's at his best in transition, to which Beilien is not heavy on. Hopefully he makes great strides next year. Can't blame JB for taking X in light of the Battle situation.
I think the most detrimental signing of 16 was Austin Davis, have no clue what Beilien was thinking there. Very little upside, only 6'8, and we already have enough bigs. That scholarship would've been much better utilized on an athletic guard that can create off the dribble.
Again though, we're taking some forward steps in 17 to right the ship. How we finish out the 17 and 18 classes will determine the next 3 years. More athletes with motor and ballhandlers.........no more one dimensional shooters with limited athleticism. That is the key moving forward in my opinion.
February 4th, 2017 at 10:18 PM ^
February 4th, 2017 at 10:54 PM ^
Davis - his lateral agility and overall athleticism is just far behind where it needs to be in order to be a rotational player at this point. I think he would really struggle on the defensive end of the court right now. Down the road he may develop into a player that we can dump the ball to into on the block and get buckets with his back to the basket and perhaps be a decent rebounder. Limited upside for sure though.
Watson - never regarded as a good defender in high school. Good athlete, average shooter, with limited ballhandling ability. He will get time out of necessity next year, but unless his ballhandling and motor improve by a reasonable margin he's going to be a downgrade in terms of production from Duncan Robinson (fulfilling the bench wing spot)
Teske - good defender, moves his feet really well for a legit 7 footer. Great timing on shotblocking as well. Doesn't rebound particularly well, and is nowhere near ready to contribute on offense. In a few years I think he's going to be a really good paint defender, just needs time to develop.
Overall we have a lack of two-way players. I think Livers has the ability to be a nice two-way player for us in the future though at the 4 spot.
February 4th, 2017 at 11:44 PM ^
February 4th, 2017 at 10:19 PM ^
February 5th, 2017 at 11:01 AM ^
February 4th, 2017 at 9:01 PM ^
February 4th, 2017 at 9:08 PM ^
I could see us bounce back and beat Sparty - they're not that good, either. The problem is, that's not enough to wipe out this loss. We'd need to go to Bloomington and win there to really do that. We've left ourselves zero margin for error.
February 5th, 2017 at 12:16 AM ^
We did beat IU by 30 and they're super injured. I feel better about that game than any of the home games left (MSU, Wisconsin, Purdue)
February 4th, 2017 at 9:11 PM ^
And guilt...
Last game, a cousin had passed away (unexpectedly). Harrowing travel experience, then the funeral.
Today, a lot going on but no real excuse to miss the game in its entirety... been that kind of topsy-turvy day tho...
Good to see Walton coming into his fire, regardless. And staying in it! That pic... timeless.
I know it's too early to say, but strangely, I have a good feeling about the next game.
February 4th, 2017 at 9:24 PM ^
Here's to hoping the team that beat Indiana, SMU, & Marquette shows up.
February 4th, 2017 at 9:16 PM ^
because you can't fire the players.
Only Walton gives a shit.
February 4th, 2017 at 10:14 PM ^
February 5th, 2017 at 1:50 PM ^
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/maars-comments-re-motivation-nice-kids
Wagner, Wilson, and Donnal, the three "bigs," combined for 3 rebounds in 64 minutes. Walton and MAAR combined for 17 rebounds.
February 5th, 2017 at 7:37 PM ^
he thinks we should fire beilein?
i stand by my original post. fuck off.
February 4th, 2017 at 9:20 PM ^
February 4th, 2017 at 10:46 PM ^
B- recruiting and D effort. But yeah, not enough in either aspect.
February 4th, 2017 at 9:23 PM ^
February 4th, 2017 at 11:08 PM ^
at least it was a really bad Ohio State team at home...wait...
February 4th, 2017 at 9:32 PM ^
February 4th, 2017 at 9:37 PM ^
They should wear the pink shoes every game like they did for IU. This is the color that really defines them.
February 4th, 2017 at 11:09 PM ^
We're 0-2 since we stopped wearing them. We played like Warriors in them.
February 4th, 2017 at 9:45 PM ^
February 4th, 2017 at 10:00 PM ^
February 5th, 2017 at 1:05 AM ^
February 5th, 2017 at 6:35 AM ^
February 4th, 2017 at 10:03 PM ^
A plea to generous donor who is footing the bill for the Rome trip: plz buy out JB's contract.
February 4th, 2017 at 10:06 PM ^
February 4th, 2017 at 11:58 PM ^
shot four threes today. He only shot one two-pointer. DJ shot five threes (and at least he made two) and only one two pointer. We only shot threes even when they were in.
February 4th, 2017 at 10:29 PM ^
Allowing that Wagner fouled out at the end of the game, I think we should continue our complaint of Beilein auto-benching. A swing of 14 pts happened while sitting the combination of Wagner, Wilson, Walton due to fouls. Wagner fouling out at the end shouldn't preclude playing him earlier. That swing puts Michigan on the defensive and allows OSU to attack our bigs. If we keep them in the game (despite the fouls) and extend the lead, then we put OSU on their heels. At this point, with not much else working, it seems that we should be going for broke and not try to preserve players for an imaginary end game/overtime situation.
February 4th, 2017 at 10:51 PM ^
Wagner fouled out in 22 minutes. He is a walking foul right now. Not a lot you can do when you just have to pick which 20 minutes he's going to play, knowing it won't be more than that.
What they should try to do is not take out both Wagner and Wilson at the same time, if they can help it. They were both out in the first half when OSU came back from down 11, and DJ wasn't in foul trouble yet.
February 4th, 2017 at 10:56 PM ^
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