Michigan 79, Northwestern 54
For the first four minutes and change, it appeared tonight would be another excruciating experience at Welsh-Ryan Arena, where of late Michigan has played several unexpectedly close games with Northwestern. The Wolverines missed their first 11 shots from the field, seven of them dunks or layups, to allow the Wildcats to leap out to a [checks notes] 4-0 lead at the first media timeout.
Eli Brooks drilled a three out of the break, however, and when Northwestern pushed back, Juwan Howard inserted the team's secret weapon: Austin Davis. Big Country scored three straight buckets after Jon Teske had failed to hit on a series of close looks, then Brooks and Franz Wagner hit back to back triples to give Michigan a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The Wolverines hit 30-of-53 shots after their 0-for-11 start.
Northwestern remained stuck in first gear, failing to make a third of their attempts on the night and looking generally incapable of generating quality looks.
The game turned into an increasingly one-sided affair highlighted by a couple thunderous Isaiah Livers dunks, the second following consecutive emphatic blocks by Wagner and Teske on Miller Kopp, Northwestern's leading scorer.
Isaiah Livers (@isaiah__02) is out here handing out lessons. ?
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 13, 2020
Don't jump with the @umichbball star: pic.twitter.com/Dq4PCT8NV3
Livers scored 17 points, going 5/6 on twos and 7/7 from the line (also 0/5 on threes), and added five rebounds, two assists, and a block. Brooks led the team with 18 points on 14 shooting possessions, repeatedly finding open spots to unleash his jumper.
While Zavier Simpson had a quiet night and Teske struggled to a 3/14 mark from the field, the supporting cast stepped up: David DeJulius had an excellent 7-6-7 performance, Davis and Brandon Johns were both perfect from the field, Wagner dished out four assists and again made a significant defensive impact, and the backups—including, notably, Cole Bajema, who knocked in a corner three—were lights out in KenPom time.
Michigan dominated as you'd hope a tournament team would against an overmatched Northwestern squad. With their win and OSU's victory over Rutgers earlier in the evening, there are now eight Big Ten teams with between six and eight conference wins. The push for conference and NCAA tournament seeding is going to be wild. It continues for the Wolverines on Sunday when they host Indiana (5-7 B1G), losers of four straight.
[Hit THE JUMP for the box score.]
Note: The box score mistakenly credited Brandon Johns for Cole Bajema's three-pointer.
February 13th, 2020 at 11:54 AM ^
He did kick it out a few times in this game, specifically I recall one to Eli for a wide open three that was Michigan's first bucket.
February 13th, 2020 at 7:58 AM ^
I think you mean Davis DeJulius.
At least that's what the arena announcer thought. Over and over again.
February 13th, 2020 at 8:28 AM ^
Simpson did not have "a quiet night". He was -6 on a winning, blow-out night...the only Michigan player in the negative column. Yet the excuses and rationalizations roll on and on. The story here is clear and definitive. I understand that this game is heavily nuanced and poorly understood by the viewing public. Nevertheless, the narratives that are believed by even the most uninformed are stunning to me. Ignorance and rationalization are surely a part of each of our individual human experiences. However, in a game like last night, what is difficult about understanding the clear narrative that played out???
February 13th, 2020 at 9:28 AM ^
What the hell are you babbling about??
February 13th, 2020 at 9:39 AM ^
Why don't you spell it out for us?
February 13th, 2020 at 11:05 AM ^
If you have to ask for direction here you will never understand any "spelling out" in this regard. Basketball is a most intricately complicated game requiring a unique skill-set and mindset to play it well. There is no shame in not understanding the nuances. I knew/know how to play this game about as well as it can be played and you will very likely not find anyone who knows me who would hedge their agreement with this statement-for more than a split second. The problem was that I only grew to 5'2". Effort and knowledge remain limited by ability and other factors-and vice versa. Judgement, likes and dislikes have nothing to do with the factual components here. It is what it is. Simpson, for all his positive traits simply does not have the ability to play as well as I believe one should be able to at this level. He is maxing out his ability...which is most laudable...but for me, his limitations outweigh his benefits. Furthermore, there are plenty of indications that he has teammates that agree with my assessment-and here is where the major problem resides.
February 13th, 2020 at 11:37 AM ^
This is a Reese's perfect combination of unfounded pompousness and wrongness. Zavier is one game removed from leading the offense to a beatdown of MSU. He's one of the nation's leaders in assists. He was named in the top 25 for the midseason Wooden award watch list. Maybe we've been spoiled with PG play between Morris, Burke, and Walton, but anybody saying his "limitations outweigh his benefits" is just downright wrong. He's the undeniable leader of our team, and one game where he struggled and got into foul trouble doesn't indicate some underlying problem for him. If you're just trolling then good for you, you got me. But anybody who thinks Zavier isn't the 2nd best PG in the B1G is wrong.
February 13th, 2020 at 11:59 AM ^
Furthermore, there are plenty of indications that he has teammates that agree with my assessment-and here is where the major problem resides.
Care to cite some examples of Michigan players expressly stating that Simpson is a net negative?
February 13th, 2020 at 10:57 AM ^
This reminds me of a high school writing assignment with a minimum word count
February 13th, 2020 at 12:26 PM ^
I think it's a r/iamverysmart parody account
February 13th, 2020 at 11:09 AM ^
Gee, you should share your thoughts with Juwan, since he clearly doesn't see what you see.
February 13th, 2020 at 12:15 PM ^
Up until a couple years ago I had never heard someone use the term "narrative" outside of literary criticism. Now every pompous shitheel uses it nonstop.
February 13th, 2020 at 8:45 AM ^
To see the difference Juwan has made in Big Country's development since last season....WOW.
How many people cringed when Teske got into early foul trouble and had to sit for Davis, earlier this season? Now there are people (who are out of their mind) calling for Davis to take Teske's minutes. That's insane....but it sure is nice to have a #2 big that can come in and play productive minutes on both ends.
GO BLUE!
February 13th, 2020 at 9:48 AM ^
Why we should be patient when it comes to big guys. They take the longest to develop. Austin Davis kind look hot garbage early on but he has developed into a competent big man. He always going to be a defensive liability bc of his slow feet but he works hard, hustle and try to do the little things to help the team win games. He's already their best post scorer bc he knows how to seal and make quick moves to get buckets.
February 13th, 2020 at 10:43 AM ^
So, what I don't understand is if the big man whisperer JH, can induce such an improvement in Davis, why can't he get Teske to play at even the same level as last year, if not better. I think the problem is Teske, not the coaching.
February 13th, 2020 at 11:01 AM ^
At this point i really wouldn't mind seeing 5-6 minutes a game go from Teske to Davis. Davis is a legit low post threat who seems to score damn near every post touch.
He also boxes out much better than Teske. Teske seems to mostly turn and reach for rebounds where Davis gets right into a body. Saw multiple possessions where a guard or wing came down and got the board but it was made possible by Davis moving out the opposing big man.
February 13th, 2020 at 8:53 AM ^
Started out "oh here we go again" and ended up delightful! Go Blue!
February 13th, 2020 at 9:42 AM ^
Chris Collins: yet another gem from the Coach K coaching tree
February 13th, 2020 at 10:50 AM ^
Northwestern is terrible
February 13th, 2020 at 11:09 AM ^
turrible
February 13th, 2020 at 12:20 PM ^
They're not good, but have been competitive with most of their opponents. Few teams have embarassed them like this.
February 13th, 2020 at 11:29 AM ^
Weird game from Z, but not a problem with the other guys stepping up. Go Blue!
February 13th, 2020 at 12:28 PM ^
A bit of foul trouble but mostly he just got the night off. Good to see DDJ get time at PG (his natural position) and do well ... 7 assists, 7 points, and 6 RBs in 21 minutes was solid.
February 13th, 2020 at 12:48 PM ^
I think next season after Simpson is gone, that people will see Brooks' value.... the offense runs through Simpson now, so its sometimes hard to see.
February 13th, 2020 at 3:35 PM ^
Good solid, comfortable, stress-free win. They hit shots, ran the floor, played defense. Livers brought some competence and focus to the floor and the team followed. And he had some great dunks. The focus and effort have really turned around in recent games. Build on it and kick Indiana's ass!
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