Michigan 58, Rutgers 45
I hope you did not watch this game. Well, maybe you would've gotten enjoyment from Michigan winning a B1G road game to bolster their standing in the conference ahead of the upcoming conference tournament, but it was an objectively horrid basketball game. It looked less like D1 collegiate basketball and more like actors with no sports experience being asked to play basketball in a movie. Neither team had much of an offensive rhythm but clutch shots by Dug McDaniel and others, combined with some of the best and most aggressive defense Michigan has played all season, allowed the Wolverines to prevail with a 58-45 victory in Piscataway tonight.
The start to the game did not indicate what would follow, aside from the general caliber of play. Rutgers got out to a commanding 13-3 lead while the Michigan offense was putrid to say the least. The Wolverines opened the game 1/13 from the field, including an 0/10 stretch that found the Wolverines well behind the Scarlet Knights. They missed plenty of open shots and played poor defense, allowing Rutgers to score at will. Hunter Dickinson finally connected on a hook shot and it began to swing momentum for the Maize & Blue, starting a 7-0 run that pulled the road team within a point.
Rutgers put together a couple makes that stretched the lead back up to 19-12, a period brought on in part by Juwan Howard's decision to swap out several starters who had finally gotten the offense going. Jace Howard knocked down a corner three to begin what would be a strong finish to the final six minutes of the half for Michigan. Beginning with that shot, the Wolverines would string together a broader 13-2 run, including an 8-0 stretch after Rutgers was up 21-17, with Bufkin and Baker hitting threes to put Michigan ahead 25-21. Caleb McConnell made a turnaround jumper on a flimsy foul call (he missed the free throw) and then on the final play of the half, Dug McDaniel attempted a floater that came up short but he was fouled on the play. McDaniel went 1/2 at the line with the clock reading 0:00 and the teams went into half with Michigan ahead 26-23.
[David Wilcomes]
The second half was something of a continuation from the first half. Cam Spencer started the half with a bucket for RU but Baker and Dickinson made a couple quick shots to put the Wolverines ahead 31-25. From there the game seesawed back and forth, Michigan riding with Will Tschetter at the four in a rather curious decision, but they always held the lead. At the under twelve media timeout the score was 40-37 Michigan with exactly ten minutes to go in the contest (Rutgers would hit a free throw out of the timeout to make it 40-38). Over the next three minutes, just two points would be scored between the two teams, as Michigan inserted Tarris Reed Jr. into the game and began ramping up the defensive pressure on Rutgers. They were sending aggressive doubles on the perimeter and completely disrupting an already poor Rutgers offense.
Dug McDaniel's driving layup constituted the only points during that three minute window and Michigan led 42-38 at the under eight media timeout. That was the start of the sequence where Michigan began to wrest control away from Rutgers. Terrance Williams II and Kobe Bufkin made a couple pull-up jumpers and then Dug McDaniel made two of his own. The Scarlet Knights made a couple shots but were not quite able to keep up, turning the ball over repeatedly and continuing to fling up shots that were lucky to hit the rim. Michigan wasn't much better, but they made a couple more when it counted. By the time Kobe Bufkin split between two Rutgers defenders and laid it up at the rack, it was 52-42 Michigan with just 2:08 remaining and the home team was on the ropes.
Paul Mulcahy missed a driving layup after another good Michigan defensive sequence and Hunter Dickinson was fouled upon snatching the rebound. Rutgers still had fouls to give, so they put the press on. Michigan's passing broke through the press and McDaniel found Reed under the basket for a layup. 54-42 and with 1:44 remaining, this was finished. Rutgers had no further answers offensively, Michigan tacked on a few more free throws and the time slipped away. When it was all over, Juwan Howard's crew came into New Jersey and won it 58-45.
[David Wilcomes]
The offensive display from the two teams was pitiful but Michigan was demonstrably better. They were only 28% from three but made three more triples in total than Rutgers. More importantly, they forced more turnovers and had more go-to guys, with Bufkin and McDaniel rising to the occasion late. Dug was 6/12 from the floor and provided five massive steals, scoring 16 points to lead Michigan. Kobe Bufkin chipped in 14 and Dickinson added 13, while Baker made a pair of threes for six in an otherwise terrible offensive showing (2/11!). Will Tschetter added zero points in his 18 minutes, but Williams and Jace Howard each hit consequential jump shots at big moments in the game, while Reed helped tighten up the defense. It was not a great showing, but it was a team effort, especially in the absence of Jett Howard to get this one done.
For Rutgers, it was dreadful. They shot 38% from the floor, 31% from three, and somehow shot 5/16 (31%) from the free throw line!!! Their leading scorer, Cam Spencer, scored just 11 points. The only other scorer in double figures was Cliff Omoruyi with 10 points. Rutgers was equally terrible in both halves, scoring 23 in the first and 22 in the second. They turned it over 13 times to the tune of 17 Michigan points off turnovers. Yuck.
No matter how filthy this game was, a win is a win for a Michigan team that needs them in a season running out of time. The Wolverines are now 16-12 overall and 10-7 in conference play. With just three games remaining in the B1G season, Michigan has a home game against Wisconsin and two road games against Indiana and Illinois left. The next game is the one at Crisler against the Badgers, scheduled for Sunday at 2:00 PM EST and is scheduled to be broadcast on CBS.
[CLICK THE JUMP FOR THE BOX SCORE]
February 23rd, 2023 at 11:42 PM ^
A thing of beauty.
The game, not so much.
But the result? Gorgeous.
February 23rd, 2023 at 11:49 PM ^
A closer game than the end score, that Michigan figured out how to win. Watching Reed defend the perimeter is gorgeous and welcome back Terrance Williams with 9 boards in 22 mins. A lot of good things in this game as the D has taken a big step up and we continue to remember the importance of rebounding.
Another thing of note. I never felt like Diabate and Dickinson enjoyed playing together. It seemed like there was a competitiveness between them that you just don’t see when Reed and D are sharing the court. They win together and it makes the last 8 mins of the last two games a welcomed approach.
February 24th, 2023 at 4:35 PM ^
I'm not sure if it was on purpose, but near the end of the game, Bufkin was dribbling at the top just outside the 3 pt line. Dickinson went to set a screen, yelled at Tarris to come set horns, but Tarris stayed back. Then Bufkin split the hedge defense and made a ridiculous layup at the rim. I feel like that play never would have happened if Tarris would have come up how Hunter told him to. It was a really interesting game within the game.
February 24th, 2023 at 10:00 AM ^
Agree with this comment and Alex - nailed the open paragraph. That was simply atrocious to watch - Rutgers looked horrendous and I don't know if that is defense or they are just horrendous on offense. Given their kenpom national and conference EFG%s - its likely the latter (291 and 14th in the B1G).
February 23rd, 2023 at 11:45 PM ^
Our first 8-10 minutes of the game were hideous, for sure. We looked completely lost. But after the 13-3 early deficit we dominated, 55-32, the rest of the way. That was on the road minus one of our best players. This team has taken a lot of body blows this season but it’s still fighting.
February 23rd, 2023 at 11:46 PM ^
"It looked less like D1 collegiate basketball and more like actors with no sports experience being asked to play basketball in a movie."
That might be the funniest thing I've ever read on MGoBlog.
February 23rd, 2023 at 11:46 PM ^
The game was hard to watch initially, but it just kept getting better and better. Maybe it’s because I didn’t expect us to win at Rutgers, but I thoroughly enjoyed this game.
Tarris only scored 2 points, but we were +8 in his 13 minutes. Solid defensive effort down the stretch reminiscent of the Bad Boy Pistons, with Tarris as Mahorn. OK, so you got by Laimbeer, now deal with Mahorn. Not so easy. That last, from out of nowhere, block by Tarris was a thing of beauty.
February 23rd, 2023 at 11:47 PM ^
I actually really enjoyed this game. We took a punch to the nose at the beginning in an incredibly difficult environment and a bunch of players were super clutch on offense and defense. Dug continues to mature and foreshadow how great he’ll be in his career, Big D had one of his best games of the year, and Bufkin had some really impressive plays too. Team defense was as good as it’s been all year. This was all without our NBA lottery pick.
Seems like every other year for the last 12 or so years we have a very young team that sucks until February then turns it on with clutch play.
That was a HUGE win. Juwan and everyone who played deserves a ton of credit.
February 23rd, 2023 at 11:49 PM ^
Best defensive performance of the season by far. Dug on offense, Tarris on defense, the freshmen have bright futures ahead of them. TWill finally having a junkyard dawg-like night with 9 boards.
Collective team effort and nice to see improvement late in the season. Builds more confidence heading into the final 3 games.
Loved seeing Tarris Reed come in like Mariano Rivera to close out the game on defense. Outside of a last-second layup, Rutgers scored 5 points in the final 10 minutes of the game.
February 23rd, 2023 at 11:54 PM ^
I agree with most of the other posters. That was a thing of beauty.
Anytime you win by double digits on the road against a tournament team, it's enjoyable to watch.
But even in terms of beauty, yes, Michigan started slow with an awful 3 points in the first 8.5 minutes including 10 straight missed shots, but after that, they were excellent.
Michigan scored 1.1 points per possession in the last 50 possessions against the 4th best defensive team in the country at their place. That's really good. This is how they did it:
1. Dug hit some amazing shots, including three 17ish foot jumpers/step backs in the second half. I still dont' think those are good shots / sustainable, but it was beautiful to see them go in (they were the no, no, no, no, no, YES variety).
2. Kobe Bufkin is playing on another level. It's almost depressing because he's absolutely a first rounder and I just hope Michigan makes the tournament so we get to see a little more of him. He's so smooth, and he's surprisingly patient. Dude kept Michigan in the game in the first half, sealed it with a split pick and roll and weaving drive around a couple of Rutgers defenders. Plus three steals and an awesome block. He's playing so well. 14 points on 9 shots!!!
3. Hunter had some yikes moments but also some nice post moves and a big 3 pointer, he was his solid self.
And yes, Rutgers has a bad offense (157th!!) but Michigan played really good defense, in part because Jett didn't play. Shout outs:
1. T will was a team high +18 with 9 (!!!) rebounds and great defense in 22 min. He did all the little things we need him to do. Welcome back Mr. Williams. An underrated performance.
2. Tarris Reed was +8 in 13 minutes and was again suberb to close out the game. Not sure I can ever recall a team withholding one of their best five players for most of the game only to play him at the end.
3. Better than the step backs, I loved Dug's energy on defense. 5 steals and some other deflections and traps.
The best defensive lineup Michigan has is: Dug, Kobe, Twill, Tarris and Hunter and that lineup dominated down the stretch.
LFG!
February 24th, 2023 at 12:22 PM ^
The game was over at this point anyway, but Reed's thunder-block of that weak Mulcahy layup at the end was the perfect punctuation to that defensive dominance.
February 23rd, 2023 at 11:54 PM ^
Gotta win a rock fight (RAC fight?) against these guys. A couple months ago, I don't think we had this in us.
It's not easy to ask a freshman PG to carry the load and we've taken our lumps, but Dug is getting there. If Bufkin is back to join him next year, we could do some damage.
February 24th, 2023 at 12:02 AM ^
Do we address the elephant in the room on what's coinciding with the defense "picking it up"?! And for that matter the offense has shown it can click better (see: Purdue).
Anyway. It doesn't matter, he's going to play when he's healthy. But we should prepare for the defensive upswing not sticking around.
February 24th, 2023 at 12:06 AM ^
Not you too. My wife is already on me about my new pregame ritual of a spicy Italian sub. As I told her, you don't mess with a streak.
February 24th, 2023 at 5:36 AM ^
Not a sub, but ...
February 24th, 2023 at 12:05 AM ^
C’mon guys, you can do it. Make the tournament and get sent to Birmingham.
February 24th, 2023 at 12:17 AM ^
You know this team plays some unwatchable basketball at times. But when they compete and play defense like tonight, they are really effective. They made Rutgers look like a church league team. Once they got the lead, Rutgers never caught them because their offense is so pitiful.
The growth of Michigan as a team has to be on the defensive end and the time on the floor of the twin towers. That last group that Juwan put out to close the game was dynamic. I kept waiting for Michigan to go dual big guys to put the hammer down. Rutgers knew it couldn't allow a 10 point deficit.
The home court officiating showed up in the free throw differential but thankfully Rutgers was as putrid from the free throw line as the field.
In any case, win our last three games and we make the tournament. Michigan can play with anyone. If the kids just believe that and play within themselves, we could fool a lot of folks.
February 24th, 2023 at 10:01 AM ^
Surprised I had to scroll this far down to read a comment about the officiating. This crew was awful both ways, but it did seem that Rutger got the better whistle.
February 24th, 2023 at 12:37 AM ^
Anything that limits Twill’s minutes is a plus.
Dug is Trey Burke 2.0
February 24th, 2023 at 7:58 AM ^
Given he was +18 on the court, you might want to reconsider this thought.
February 24th, 2023 at 12:45 AM ^
I think you’re being overly harsh. After the opening 3-13 run, the team played gritty, high-intensity basketball and a lot of guys hit clutch shots or made clutch defensive plays at pivotal moments. I thought it was a very fun and entertaining game to watch.
February 24th, 2023 at 9:01 AM ^
Agreed. The first few minutes looked like it would be 'one of those games' - but there was much to like with the way the team responded. Nice to see our guard play emerge as a strength.
February 24th, 2023 at 12:55 PM ^
Yep, it's like he locked into this narrative in the first ten minutes and didn't adjust tot he great basketball Michigan played from there (yes, Rutgers was awful / ugly the whole way, but this isn't Rutger blog).
That was a fun game to watch, for us, and there were some pretty offensive plays after Michigan's 1/10 (or worse?) start.
February 24th, 2023 at 12:45 AM ^
Reed should get more minutes at the 4.HD seems to play better when Reed is in the game.
February 24th, 2023 at 8:00 AM ^
It's actually more like Reed at the 5 and Hunter at the 4, because they post Reed down low and put Hunter on the perimeter. It's just semantics, I guess, but Reed's role in the twin towers lineup is much more Center-ish and Hunter's is much more Forward-ish. Slightly odd given their height differential, but it is what it is.
February 24th, 2023 at 12:45 AM ^
Ehh, calling it an ugly all around game does not seem entirely fair. It wasn’t a brilliant offensive display sure, but Rutgers plays near elite D and Michigan was on the road without Jett. That’s a good win.
February 24th, 2023 at 12:53 AM ^
It must be frustrating to be a Michigan basketball player. You finally start playing well, and people criticize how hard it is to watch.
February 24th, 2023 at 1:55 AM ^
Our first 10 minutes or so werent good but after that it was a solid game. Ill take it!
February 24th, 2023 at 7:09 AM ^
In general the players don't give a damn about what the fans think-and for very good reason.
February 24th, 2023 at 1:11 AM ^
This felt like a Rutgers football game, and not in the good way.
February 24th, 2023 at 2:28 AM ^
I kinda want to make a joke about flailing about in the Pine Barrens searching for an interior decorator, but we got a road win, which is a good win. So Hail to the Victors.
February 24th, 2023 at 5:59 AM ^
"You're not gonna believe this. He killed sixteen Czechoslovakians. The guy was an interior decorator."
"His house looked like shit."
February 24th, 2023 at 6:30 AM ^
One thing I noticed is that with Jett out the ball never got stuck on offense. They moved the ball and reversed direction resulting in a lot of open looks. Unfortunately they were not able to hit a lot of those open threes but that is ok since UM won
February 24th, 2023 at 6:58 AM ^
I tuned in right before halftime. I thought this was a very enjoyable watch. The sandwich center was raucous most of the second half. It reminded me of a marathon Attitude-Era ECW match. Chair Shots, broken bottles over the head, trash cans to the face.
It was really encouraging to see this team continue to fight and stand up. Great win!
February 24th, 2023 at 7:14 AM ^
You know that the starters generally can't play 100% of every game, right. You don't seem to.
February 24th, 2023 at 12:39 PM ^
Just turn fatigue off. It works in video games.
February 24th, 2023 at 8:03 AM ^
After this win I'm confident Michigan finish 2nd, 9th, or somewhere in between, in the Big Ten.
February 24th, 2023 at 10:44 AM ^
it was an objectively horrid basketball game. It looked less like D1 collegiate basketball and more like actors with no sports experience being asked to play basketball in a movie
Having watched this week's Wisconsin-Iowa barf fest at the Trohl Center, one of the worst games I've ever seen, I now feel obligated to watch my recording of last night's game just to see which was worse.
The B1G is just awful this year. All around awful.
February 24th, 2023 at 12:44 PM ^
Walked into the home of the high-flying point-a-minute Scarlet Knights offense and beat them at their own game.
February 24th, 2023 at 12:57 PM ^
brought on in part by Juwan Howard's decision to swap out several starters who had finally gotten the offense going
I know questioning Juwan's rotations is a thing around here, but come on, it doesn't take much nuance to understand:
- Michigan was without a starter, thus the rotation was shortened. Juwan had to measure minutes in the first half to make sure the team had legs at the end of the game.
- Rutger's center Omoruyi is very athletic which is one of Hunter's weaknesses. Omuoruyi could have easily gotten both Hunter and Tarris in early foul trouble. Juwan was adjusting his lineups based on when Omoruyi was on the floor or not. That trickles down the rest of the rotation as well.
- Keeping Tarris & Hunter out of foul trouble and fresh is one of the reasons the twin towers option has worked to close out the last couple of games. Tarris can play at full energy to close out the game when everyone else is starting to slow down.
- Michigan only has one true point guard. Kobe has backed up as needed, but he does not have the same handle as Dug. Juwan had to steal moments when Kobe could play PG based on who Rutgers had on the court.
- Juwan was trying to avoid a match up of Baker on McConnell as much as possible for obvious reasons so he was trying to steal minutes for Baker on the bench when McConnell was on the floor.
February 24th, 2023 at 2:03 PM ^
After last night’s game, it wouldn’t surprise me if Michigan (NET Rank 53 and rising) made the NCAA Tournament and Rutgers (NET Rank 37 and sliding) fell to the NIT.
There’s a decent chance that Rutgers, with a terrible offense and a depleted frontcourt now that starters Mawot Mag has been lost for the season and Caleb McConnell is nursing a back injury, could lose at Penn State for their fifth loss in their last six games, get a close win at Minnesota and then lose at home to Northwestern in their final home game before losing their first game in the Big Ten Tournament to fall to 18-14 and 10-11 in Big Ten games while closing the season with two wins in their final 10 games.
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