Michigan 90, Indiana 60
Moe Wagner exploited mismatches in the post. [Eric Upchurch]
Michigan exploited multiple mismatches in the frontcourt to jump out to an early lead and used that as a springboard to a 30-point blowout of Indiana.
Let that sink in for a moment.
A shorthanded Indiana squad was faced with a choice: stick center Thomas Bryant on Moe Wagner and hope DJ Wilson wouldn't destroy 6'6" injury replacement Zach McRoberts, or put Bryant on Wilson and hope Wagner wouldn't feast on McRoberts in the post. They initially chose the second option. Wagner feasted, scoring 12 of his 14 points in the first half on 6-for-8 shooting. When IU tried putting Bryant on Wagner, it didn't go any better, as Bryant couldn't stay in front of the quicker German big man.
The Hoosiers couldn't exactly slow down Wilson, either. He did a bit of everything, attacking the matchup on McRoberts early, setting up his teammates with gorgeous passes, and providing great rim protection. He finished with 11 points, five rebounds, three assists, four blocks, and a steal; if anything, that undersells his impact.
"Don't forget, DJ and Moe are really evolving, yet," said John Beilein. "They are really playing the big crunch time minutes for the first time."
It was easy to forget that tonight.
Probably could've been the whole recap. [Upchurch]
After the big men softened up Indiana's defense, Derrick Walton took over, getting to the hoop time and again, and finishing when he got there, a great sign given his past struggles scoring at the rim. He led the team with 21 points (7-for-8 FG, 6-for-7 FT) and five assists.
Seemingly everyone who hit the floor got into the act. Duncan Robinson scored 13 off the bench; Zak Irvin added 12 points and three assists; Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman also had 12 and played exemplary defense on Hoosiers star James Blackmon. Michigan shot 63.3% from the floor, their best mark in a Big Ten game since 2006.
Indiana shot the ball well themselves, finishing at 54.5% from the field. The Hoosiers couldn't keep up, however, because of their 16 turnovers. Those were part a product of good, aggressive defense—Michigan had seven steals—and part some really sloppy play on IU's part.
"We did have some great [defensive] possessions," said Beilein. "We created turnovers by just being active."
Put it all together and this was a laugher that Tom Crean could hardly bring himself to talk about; his postgame presser lasted all of a few minutes.
"There's no excuse for it," Crean said of their defensive effort.
While one coach sulked, the other was loose and excited, knowing his team has laid down a blueprint for success over the last few games.
"It's just a great feeling for those guys knowing this is how we're going to win going forward," said Beilein.
"The world corrects itself at some point, and basketball does too," he added.
From his lips to the basketball gods' ears, hopefully.
January 27th, 2017 at 12:01 AM ^
complete team effort. Like you said, everyone played well. It was reminiscient of NYC. Been saying it the past couple weeks: when this team plays with effort and focus, it can be very good.
January 27th, 2017 at 12:19 AM ^
Thought the same thing about NYC. Best we've played in 2 months. It's exciting to see this team find its' identity and embrace it. Here's hoping it keeps snowballing.
January 27th, 2017 at 9:38 AM ^
is this a level that can be maintained?
msu will be a challenge- hopefully the mindset will lead to another impressive performance.
January 27th, 2017 at 1:22 PM ^
But I know it can be sustained. The talent is there. For anyone saying we don't have talent I keep responding with the fact that we start four 4-stars, two of which are likely to be drafted (Wilson and Wagner), and our guards are highly experienced.
The focus, effort and leadership that was lacking for an eight game stretch is the key. Need to keep that up. It sounds like Donlon is becoming more vocal as a motivator and the seniors are stepping up too.
January 27th, 2017 at 4:58 PM ^
We got good looks from 3 and made half of them, thats somewhat sustainable.
We made more than we should of turnaround jumpers and contested midrange jumpers, but there werent that many of those.
Everything else is sustainable, they just need to keep playing hard and smart.
January 27th, 2017 at 12:05 PM ^
So much for those KenPom predictions, eh?
January 27th, 2017 at 12:02 AM ^
January 27th, 2017 at 12:05 AM ^
Well...[a cautious but respectful] hell yeah. Maybe...there's...hope?
January 27th, 2017 at 12:08 AM ^
All in all, that was a damn fine effort by the squad tonight. It was neat to actually enjoy watching a Michigan basketball game again. If they can keep up the level of effort they have demonstrated for the past few games, we could still make a nice little Sweet 16 run in the tourney.
January 27th, 2017 at 12:11 AM ^
January 27th, 2017 at 12:13 AM ^
January 27th, 2017 at 12:14 AM ^
January 27th, 2017 at 1:10 AM ^
You rang?
January 27th, 2017 at 7:52 AM ^
for Gestapo, but yes. Maybe more like B-movie bad guy, one of Cruella Deville's, pinching puppies when they make too much noise.
January 27th, 2017 at 12:21 AM ^
I hope the team continues to play well, like they did Tonight. I'm more optimistic about making the tournament.
January 27th, 2017 at 12:22 AM ^
Back on track for the season, tournament, etc. Huge last two wins. If we can get two of the next four we'll stay in pretty good shape. But hell, let's just win in Breslin on Sunday.
January 27th, 2017 at 2:56 AM ^
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January 27th, 2017 at 2:58 AM ^
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January 27th, 2017 at 12:23 AM ^
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January 27th, 2017 at 10:56 AM ^
January 27th, 2017 at 12:34 AM ^
Michigan scored 1.54 points per trip against Indiana, tied for the eighth-best game by any offense in major-conference play since 2006.
— John Gasaway (@JohnGasaway) January 27, 2017
January 27th, 2017 at 1:43 AM ^
By my count, Michigan got 30 first half possessions and scored 50 points. (Indiana had 31, because they started and finished with the ball in their hands). That's 1.67 points per possession ("ppp"). At halftime, I was a little worried. "They can't possibly put together another offensive half like that, and they're only up by 15."
Well, I was right. In the second half, they "only" scored 40 points on 29 possessions, or 1.38 ppp (!). To catch up, Indiana would have needed to score 1.90 ppp (!!).
Hats off to the team tonight. They never let up from the opening tip, and I sure never got tired of watching Michigan beat Indiana to a rebound or loose ball, or of the goregous passes they made. Now, playing at Breslin is a different animal entirely, but if they are able to put together a full 40 minutes the way they did tonight, they've got a chance to win any game left on the schedule. That's not something I thought I'd be able to say two weeks ago.
Go Blue!
January 27th, 2017 at 1:18 AM ^
Tonight's team can compete with most teams in the country...aka a Sweet 16 team. As ridiculous as that sounds after the past month and a half, if we've truly turned a corner this team to me is considered pretty damned good.
Inside presence, good shooting from outside, a couple slashers who can and WANT to get to the hoop or get fouled, defense that maybe doesn't have great skill but an effort to keep themselves alive and get their fair share of turnovers because of said effort, and rebounding that doesn't give away points and GETS a few baskets because of aforementioned effort (look at the teams who rebound well, bounces seem to go their way, like tonight, because effort and a yearning for the ball every time). How close am I to longest sentence ever (I think I'm grammatically correct)?!
I'm cautiously optimistic. Sunday will be telling, even in a loss, if the energy continues. We know home cooking exists for certain teams so losing Sunday won't be shocking but an effort like today and Wisconsin last week may very well sell me on this team's trajectory as a non-bubble team and solid 7-8 seed.
January 27th, 2017 at 1:32 AM ^
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January 27th, 2017 at 2:17 AM ^
January 27th, 2017 at 4:18 AM ^
Everything seemed to go in.
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January 27th, 2017 at 6:28 AM ^
It is hard to win in the BIG on the road. Let's hope we pllay well on Sunday!
January 27th, 2017 at 7:29 AM ^
It's hard for this team to win on the road. They have yet to do that this season.
January 27th, 2017 at 7:36 AM ^
This game and the game @Illinois were as far apart on the spectrum as you can get - and the biggest factor in there is likely effort and the enthusiasm generated by the home crowd.
In Big Ten play...
4-1 at Crisler
0-3 on the Road
I think this is a tournament team, but winning Sunday at the Breslin would move them sqaurely into that territory and raise expectations significantly.
Oddly, if this team puts it together, we will bemoan the OT loss to Iowa, MD shooting absolutely lights out to steal one in Crisler, and the horrible 5 minutes to end the game at the Kohl Center. Taking 1 from MD or Wiscy would have Michigan still in the mix for a league title with Wisconsin and Purdue still visiting Michigan down the road. Strange to say that, but it's true. No dominant league team and they are all going to beat one another up over the course of the season.
January 27th, 2017 at 12:24 PM ^
Two of the three road losses were nail-biters. The only truly bad game we've played in the league was the trip to Champaign.
January 27th, 2017 at 7:28 AM ^
January 27th, 2017 at 8:18 AM ^
Sweep Michigan State and not only does that launch UM into middle-seed territory for the NCAA but it would also knock MSU out of any shot of reaching the tournament. There won't be a bigger three game stretch this year.
January 27th, 2017 at 8:44 AM ^
January 27th, 2017 at 9:01 AM ^
I honestly thought this team would go on a major, possibly 10 game, losing streak in the conference with the way they were playing. They have finally started playing with some damn pride and toughness and I could not be happier about how freaking wrong I was. Last night was awesome. I didn't have any subs, so it wasn't crazy, but it was god damn fantastic!
January 27th, 2017 at 9:24 AM ^
It started with the bigs dominating their matchups. Moe and DJ are awesome to watch.
Then it took Walton and MAAR being aggressive to really ice this game. If we go soft and start jacking 3's, I doubt we win like we did.
If this is the new senior Walton, then this team can beat anyone in the B1G.
Irvin was basically the 4th option on offense tonight, which is a total surprise to anyone who watches Michigan basketball.
January 28th, 2017 at 12:15 PM ^
100% agreed, it started with the bigs dominating, and we have a chance to do that tomorrow against MSU.
I'm not sure I agree that the difference was Walton/Maar being "aggressive" vs "jacking threes'. They jacked some threes that went in against Indiana, esp Walton. Maar took good threes, and this game, they went down. But yeah, they were more aggressive off the dribble, esp Walton the last couple of games. When Walton decides he can beat people off the dribble, Michigan is just tranformed.
Then I go back to agreeing - If Walton is part of the offense, not the 1st option, Michigan is a FAR better basketball team. When he's a change of pace, he's a million times more effective.
Best case, tomorrow looks like Indiana - Michigan's size is exploited (!!!) against MSU's undersized bigs, we have some trouble staying in front of them, and we hit the open threes we get (I hope), plus Irvin reins in his urge to "take over".
Rob
January 27th, 2017 at 9:29 AM ^
Please, PLEASE let this be a sign of things to come!
Did Beilein leave the starters in for a really long time? Most of the 2nd half the lead was at 18 and I was just waiting for Indiana to make a run. Michigan has had a tendency let games like that slip away. I was psyched to see that the opposite happened - they piled on the lead. I wonder if Beilein left Mo, MAAR, Walton, Irvin and Wilson on the floor so long because he wanted them to feel what it was like to really kick a team's ass - a rival no less.
I hope this represented the proverbial corner and they've turned it.
January 27th, 2017 at 9:55 AM ^
The take by IU blog Crimson Quarry after the game.
http://www.crimsonquarry.com/2017/1/26/14408710/wolverines-have-no-answ…
The freshman guard [Grant Gelon] poured in 160 points per 40 minutes on 100% shooting in one of the finest offensive performances in Indiana history.
Once Zak Irvin airballed a shot, only to have the offensive rebound fall directly to a teammate who then nailed his ensuing three-pointer, I turned off the game and started playing FIFA which also went miserably.
Plus Calvin and Hobbes reference. Loved it.
Also, a take from one of their commenters:
Michigan scored 90 points in 59 possessions. That’s a hair better than 1.5 points per trip. Michigan basically played 6 guys. The lowest offensive rating of those 6? Abdur-Raman and Wagner tied at 137. 137! That’s better than our best, Thomas Bryant at 133. Derrek Walton had an offensive rating of 196. that means he was scoring almost 2 points for every possession he used… I guess 21 points on 8 shots (and 5 assists) will do that. Meanwhile, Blackmon only attempted 3 shots in 33 minutes, none from outside the arc. And McRoberts played 18 minutes,missed both shots, and had a rebound, a block, and a foul. Offensive rating of 0 in 18 minutes of play, and evidently he wasn’t a defensive factor either, given Michigan’s efficiency. Woof.
January 27th, 2017 at 12:30 PM ^
I can't believe how we shut down Blackmon. He was invisible.
January 27th, 2017 at 9:59 AM ^
I think we owe Maverick Morgan a thank you for his comments after the loss at Illinois.
The "white collar" comment seems to have sharpened the focus. We have played well since that happened...
January 27th, 2017 at 10:00 AM ^
pretty interesting watching them. He literally had nothing good to say about M's performance. Put the result squarely on them not being aggressive defensively and not setting good enough screens to get people open. I mean, I don't ever expect a coach to give 100% credit to another team after a loss but come on. MAAR did an awesome job on Blackmon. Offense was clicking. Hope M gives it to them again in Bloomington.
January 27th, 2017 at 10:51 AM ^
manage to tip his hat given the Harbaugh family support he gets and their ties to Michigan. Maybe there isn't much love for Michigan basketball in the family.
January 27th, 2017 at 10:07 AM ^
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January 27th, 2017 at 11:28 AM ^
I would still perfer him to be fired because I don't think Michigan should be the 'little engine that could' team, but they are finally giving 'little engine that could' effort which makes it easier to live with.
I think I can, I think I can.
January 27th, 2017 at 1:28 PM ^
since the 2011 Big Ten Title team featured Stu, Novak and Jmo. We have a lot of talent. When we're giving the effort we gave last night, there's not a lot of teams better than us. That has been a larger problem than recruiting for Beilein, in my opintion - getting the team to play hard adn smart. We'll feel the recruiting pinch next season unless we land some instant impact guards. That could be a major problem next year.
January 27th, 2017 at 2:09 PM ^
The final four team had mulitple first round draft picks on the team. This team probably has zero, definitely not any clear cut ones.
I think I can
January 27th, 2017 at 4:12 PM ^
team by any stretch of the imagination. That was the most talented team in college basketball that year. We're around top 20 in talent this year, probably. Our bigs are very talented. There's a decent chance they both have more successful NBA careers than anyone on the 2016 team - particularly DJ.
My point was more that we haven't been a "little engine that could" that actually tried hard and overachieved since that 2011 team. And that is a bigger reason Beilein is and should be on the warm seat. A continued trend of underachievement.
However, it looks like the fire has been lit the past three games, and if things keep going like they have, we should comfortably make the tournament and have a real shot at the sweet 16, which is where this team should be given the talent and experience.
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