Ohio State 68, Michigan 57
When the Michigan threes were raining down in buckets on Thursday, I stood there and thought "I hope we save some for Saturday". That turned out to be the correct sentiment because Michigan could've used some today, as a 24% three point performance was one of several factors that doomed the Wolverines to an eleven point loss at home against rival Ohio State. Good offensive coaching and a solid defensive effort was not enough to overcome poor offensive execution for a Wolverine team that failed to muster 60 points.
The Crisler Center crowd tonight donned blue to match their team's blue uniforms and came juiced up, riding high after the win on Thursday over Purdue. The first half was intense as expected. Michigan used their height advantage inside as Moussa Diabate and Hunter Dickinson combined for nearly half of the team's point total on 7/11 from the field. Eli Brooks chipped in a couple triples but the rest of the offense was pretty cold, including several misses on wide open threes. Still, a strong defensive effort held Ohio State to a similar point total, forcing EJ Liddell into tough makes and limiting offensive rebounds. The Buckeyes led 33-30 at the break.
A story of the game for Michigan offensively was an inability to get much of anything going besides dunks and layups. Entry passes to the height inside was a matchup to exploit, but otherwise the outside shooting was cold and the switch everything OSU defense stunted the Michigan offensive flow. In addition, frequent doubles came on Hunter Dickinson, as you'd expect. Meanwhile the Michigan defense continued to put pressure on the Buckeyes but Liddell was the best player on the floor tonight and made difficult, NBA-caliber shots.
Eli Brooks had a solid night [Campredon]
Ohio State got a couple jumpers from Malaki Branham early in the second half to push the margin to seven and that established a medium-sized OSU margin that wouldn't budge much throughout the final 20 minutes. Ohio State would pull 10 ahead, then Michigan would trim it to 5, and then OSU would push it back to 10. That seesaw was pretty consistent, with Ohio State's defense doing enough to stem any extended Wolverine run needed to claw back further. And on the flip side, someone, often Liddell, would hit a tough shot for the Buckeyes to bump the lead back up further.
Case in point: Michigan managed to hack the Ohio State lead down to 52-47 with 5:00 to go, but after Dickinson turned it over, Liddell canned a corner three to push the margin back up to eight. A few minutes later it repeated, as Eli Brooks nailed a three, but Michigan couldn't get it closer than five following two Kyle Young free throws. DeVante' Jones missed a shot, and then Branham made a jumper to make it 61-52 OSU. With barely over two minutes left, the game was more or less over at this point.
In the end, the Wolverines simply didn't muster enough scoring in a game where it felt like the opportunities were there. 4/17 from three on a lot of open looks is suboptimal, especially when you consider that three of the makes were from Eli Brooks. The rest of the team was 1/10 from beyond the arc. Hunter Dickinson scored 14 points but that was far from the dominance you expected from the big man against a team lacking a traditional center. The team limited turnovers decently well, but three from an out of control Frankie Collins stood out.
Hunter wasn't as dominant as you'd probably like given the height advantage [Campredon]
Liddell led OSU with 28 points on 8/17 from the field. The Buckeyes didn't shoot well from three either, but they made lots of tough shots from inside the arc, with Cedric Russell helping out in that department. Ohio State shooting 20/37 from two despite what felt like a strong defensive effort is indicative of that reality. Only four players between the two teams scored in double figures.
Michigan is now 13-10 overall and 7-6 in the conference. They went 2-1 over this huge week, which was the reasonable goal, but there is still plenty of work to do to get back into the playoff picture. Next week is a big one, with two huge road games against Iowa and Wisconsin. It feels like splitting the two is a necessity to continue the tourney push. The next game is not until Thursday, though, a plus for a team that has now played four games in eight days. Rest is needed. That game against the Hawkeyes is at 7:00 PM EST. The box score is after the jump.
[Click the JUMP for the box score]
February 12th, 2022 at 9:11 PM ^
I said the exact same thing Thursday. "Save some for Saturday!"
Alas, twas not to be.
And OSU just does not beat themselves. Holtmann is a really, really good coach. Not a great matchup for us to play a team that can switch everything because we don't have a ton of guys that can just win 1:1. And when Dickinson is off, we're not hitting threes and the refs aren't calling anything on our drives, good night. 4/17 from three was bad, but we were 15-28 at the rim which is arguably worse!!!
I thought the defense remained solid so that was encouraging.
On to the next. Need one of the next two road games.
February 12th, 2022 at 9:13 PM ^
No mention of the free throw disparity? 16-18 for OSU and 5-6 for Michigan on our home court! Michigan did not play well but the officiating was awful, and the difference in the game.
February 12th, 2022 at 9:17 PM ^
Yep, Michigan got a lot of calls against Purdue. We definitely got the home cooking Thursday. Unfortunately, in the game we needed it this week, we got boned. The Dickinson foul on Young was awful, Moussa's fourth was awful. And Jones was fouled every time he drove and they almost never called it.
February 12th, 2022 at 9:44 PM ^
Ummm, absolutely did not get homecooking against Purdue, the fouls were even and Purdue shot more free throws.
February 13th, 2022 at 2:00 PM ^
That's an overly simplistic way of looking at it. Michigan doesn't generally draw a lot of fouls, Purdue does on account of guys like Edey and Ivey. We have the 198th highest FT rate in the country (% of FTs to FGs), Purdue has the 44th highest FT rate and Purdue on defense has the 11th lowest FT rate in the country. They just don't foul a lot, that's how they play. In general we will have more fouls when we play them.
But watch the actual game, don't just look at the box score.
Michigan got a favorable whistle overall (i.e. significantly more questionable calls went our way than theirs). Crispin was even being really annoying complaining about it most of the game. One example being Edey's third foul on a play which Hunter went up to dunk it with one hand, lost control of the ball on his own, was barely touched and got the call because the ref thought a foul caused him to lose it but it just came out of his hand. It's ok to admit that sometimes we do actually get some bad calls our way.
February 12th, 2022 at 9:40 PM ^
Moussa absolutely got boned by this officiating crew, in both halves. And it sucked because he was doing a good job on Liddell.
February 12th, 2022 at 10:11 PM ^
I mean the whole team got boned all night. One team was getting contact called at the basket and the other was getting jack. But yes Diabate got two phantom fouls called on him, including the steal late that was essentially a 4 point swing.
February 13th, 2022 at 1:11 AM ^
Probably thinking the whole read could have been about dog shit officiating right up to last fuck you call on Hunter’s perfectly executed hard pick at which point Juwan could not take anymore.
It’s like the ref said I’m going to keep pounding away until Juwan gets a T.
But make your threes and Michigan wins.
February 13th, 2022 at 7:04 AM ^
Totally agree here.
The biggest thing was 3 games in 5 days … Had some tired legs. It was evident in the lack of ups with Hunter in / around the paint after initial moves got past EJ. It was obvious in the lack of lift on 3 point jumpers - mostly arms (especially Caleb).
But the officiating was a piece of work. Can’t count how many time M, on tired legs, would have an excellent defensive series only to get OSU bailed out. That sucks when you know you’ve got tired legs. Very little contact against EJ and Young basically sent them to the line or they’d completely miss a 3 second call in the lane allowing a bucket. It was always when their O looked disjointed for most the possession and then they have to force / jack up something with shot clock ticking 3-2-1.
February 13th, 2022 at 12:06 PM ^
I'm not here to dispute the officiating (I didn't watch the game), but using FT totals as your evidence is weak. You're better than that. (maybe?)
OSU had 11 FT attempts in the final 3 minutes of the game. Neither team was getting to the line prior to that.
Weak argument.
EDIT: 9 FT attempts in the final 60 seconds.
February 13th, 2022 at 12:57 PM ^
EJ Liddell is really good. Reminds me of Draymond Green. I thought OSU deserved the victory -- couldn't really tell about the fouls from my vantagepoint in most cases.
February 12th, 2022 at 9:16 PM ^
If they play defense like they have since the last few minutes of the first half PSU game they could potentially win both of these road games with a good shooting night. I think at Iowa is more pliable but Rutgers did just win at Wisconsin so it is possible. Get their legs back and go back to work this Thursday see how it goes.
February 14th, 2022 at 1:24 AM ^
No doubt that's the key. Their shooting is so extremely erratic and the defense seems now to be pretty consistant. Some nights they are red hot and make 3s like would uncontested 10 footers. Other nights they seem to be completely incapable of hitting uncontested 3s. Brooks is clearly the most consistent shooter of 3s.
February 12th, 2022 at 9:20 PM ^
It is hard to win on the road in the B1G. OSU finally got one after losing close games at Purdue and at Rutgers. Liddell had a great game. He is the only player in the country this year to average 19.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 3.0 assists per game. See you guys next month on Senior Day 3/6 for the season finale in the Nut House. It will be my first OSU vs. MI basketball game.
February 12th, 2022 at 9:40 PM ^
Where again UM will be playing their 4th game of the week. At least that time OSU will be finishing a tough number of games as well
February 12th, 2022 at 11:14 PM ^
Crap.
Otoh, maybe this time we will be more ready to weather the storm(s). Think of it as practicing for the tourney;
part of the seasoning process.
Learning what it takes to play at an elevated / pro level-- might as well start now.
February 12th, 2022 at 9:25 PM ^
Frustrating because I thought the effort was there but the legs didn't seem to be. We got good shots most of the night and couldn't hit enough of them.
Well, if you're going to go 1-1 against Purdue and OSU, we got the bigger one of the two. Rest up and take down Iowa.
February 12th, 2022 at 9:26 PM ^
I said this in the hockey thread but I thought Michigan actually played a pretty solid game, we just missed a ton of good looks. The effort was there and I thought we played smart and tough most of the game. I'll give OSU some credit for hitting a number of tough shots. Feels like we would win 7 out of 10 of those games.
I must mention I thought the refs were pretty terrible in this one, particularly in the second half. Apparently Liddell and Key can just bury shoulders into defenders but if you try to hold your ground or body up you get called for a foul (admittedly, Hunter does this at times but defenders are allowed to play way more body and hands on him). And the lack of 3 second calls when a post is trying 5 moves in the paint or camping out to set multiple picks in the paint is annoying and they missed at least 3-4 of those. Disappointing loss but if we keep playing this way, I can live with it. Other than Purdue or maybe one other game, I thought this was one of our better efforts.
February 12th, 2022 at 10:20 PM ^
Yeah those guys were camped in the paint. Officials called one but could have called five or six more. Won’t happen though.
February 12th, 2022 at 9:30 PM ^
I am not getting tricked again this season to think we have turned the corner or finally peaking for a tournament run.
February 12th, 2022 at 10:28 PM ^
Yeah, I don’t see it either. We have one player on the team that can generate his own offense. I don’t think the team has the pieces. I could see them putting together on a run in a neutral setting at the BTT to earn an auto bid or get to the final and earn a bid, but I don’t see them putting together enough to be in aside from those possibilities.
February 13th, 2022 at 8:53 AM ^
Which guy is that (who can generate his own offense)?
February 13th, 2022 at 1:03 PM ^
Hunter Dickinson can generate his own offense once somebody passes it to him relatively close to the basket. Brooks, Jones, and Collins can all take it to the hoop. Diabate can score off the dribble. It wouldn't be shocking to see improvement from one of the other 2 freshmen in the rotation. I think Bufkin may be closer than Houstan but he doesn't get as many opportunities.
February 12th, 2022 at 9:35 PM ^
They do seem to be playing a bit better defensively. The offense is just too constrained by the lack of shooting and the relative inability of any guards or wings to get their own shot. Except Collins but he is out of control once he gets to the rim.
Did anyone other than Brooks hit a perimeter shot before the Houstan 3 on our last possession? I can't really think of one.
February 12th, 2022 at 9:42 PM ^
The box score is above. And no, no one hit a three other than Eli until that last one from Houstan. Houstan was 1fer and everyone else 0fer.
February 12th, 2022 at 11:49 PM ^
Right, 3's but also I was thinking of long 2's of 15+ feet or whatever but yeah, either way pretty bad outside of Eli.
February 13th, 2022 at 2:12 PM ^
Oh. I would rather we never took any of those shots so dunno. If anyone made one I was angry that they even took it in the first place.
February 12th, 2022 at 10:23 PM ^
Consistent three point shooting will be the fatal blow to their tourney chances. Just can’t hit shots on a game to game basis. 12-21 then 4-17. Not the first time this has happened this season. Just don’t have the shooters.
February 12th, 2022 at 11:17 PM ^
Collins needs sleep & a little bit of focus / discipline, the kind that comes from practice. It'll come
February 12th, 2022 at 9:43 PM ^
Just when I think this team is turning a corner, they lay an egg like this.
Most frustrating season ever.
February 12th, 2022 at 9:55 PM ^
I wouldn't be too down on the team. This was their fourth game since last Saturday (third since Tuesday). The Covid reschedule caught up to us.
February 13th, 2022 at 8:54 AM ^
Agree, but we aren't the only team that has had to deal with a compressed schedule.
February 12th, 2022 at 9:51 PM ^
Eh, the reality is both teams didn't play well, the difference was one team got calls and the other got contact multiple times at the rim with nothing called. UM only took 12 threes in non garbage time, they were agressive trying to get contact and the refs simply refused to call it on one end for whatever reason. You can try and take the high road about officiating but that doesn't change the reality of how it was largely the difference in a game that neither team played well in. Oh and Diabate's phantom 4th foul was a 4 point swing as he had a clear path going back on the steal and instead it's OSU free throws. They looked like a tired team with dead legs trying to shoot anything on perimeter, which is somewhat understandable. It was smart for them to try and get to the hoop against a smaller team, you don't expect to get completely boned on contact at the rim all night as the home team though.
February 12th, 2022 at 9:59 PM ^
Darn. The Purdue raised hopes, so this game’s a little disappointing.
Howevah, 3 games ago I’d have been happy to go through this stretch at 2 & 1.
Now, rest and prep.
February 12th, 2022 at 10:00 PM ^
I'm encouraged by the defense and have just accepted that the shooting comes and goes with this team. The 4th game in 8 days is when you expect to see the legs go out a bit, and it showed. Gotta steal one in Iowa IMO, as while Wiscy is playing more like the middling team they probably are, expecting to win at Trohl is a big ask.
February 12th, 2022 at 10:13 PM ^
It’s not fair to him because I’m sure he’s a good dude, but Caleb Houstan is the most frustrating player I’ve seen in a while. He does nothing well except can wide open threes. Not a playmaker. Can’t create off the dribble. A minus on the defensive end.
They desperately need someone besides Hunter to be a go-to type of guy and that was the expectation, but he’s not there.
February 12th, 2022 at 10:55 PM ^
He still misses plenty of open 3s too though. He's just so streaky. I feel like 90% of his makes have happened in like 3 games. Dickinson is obviously the best player, but besides Eli, Jones, and Moussa we're basically getting nothing else. The bench is terrible and Houstan is a liability most of the time.
We talk about Houstan but man Johns has had a disappointing career. He's just never put it together despite lots of talent. He's hardly even shown flashes this year. Just terribly unproductive even off the bench. He was 70th on 247, one of Beilein's better recruits. But he's been the same odd guy under Beilein and Juwan.
February 13th, 2022 at 12:04 AM ^
He can still be a pretty useful piece in the future if he improves defensively and if he is surrounded by complimentary skillsets that can break down the defense and/or more shooting. But yeah, he is effectively Just a Shooter and probably a 4th option on offense which is not what the recruiting profile would have indicated. Not an NBA athlete or playmaker but it's not his fault per se that the expectations resulting from his flawed recruiting ranking.
February 13th, 2022 at 2:22 AM ^
Houstan is not just a shooter. He scored hoops inside in almost every game. He drives and, right now, looks to dish too often.
And his off ball defense is really good. That’s why he plays. Bufkin and Williams get lost on defense much more frequently.
the memes on this site are just not correct. Houstan is shooting much better than, for example, freshman THJ…or Novak….or ……this is a long list.
No, he is not a creator of his own shot. That is true. And was expected before he arrived
February 13th, 2022 at 8:57 AM ^
Huh? I don't think so. Biggest Mich recruiting miss since? Jerod Ward?
February 13th, 2022 at 10:52 AM ^
Can't agree with much you said. He's averaging a relatively low 3 2PA/game despite playing a lot of minutes. He can't create a pull up jumper for himself and seldom gets to the rim by beating his man. He's also a below average ball handler/passer for a wing with a 1:2 assist to TO ratio.
His off ball defense is not really good, no idea how you can say that, and his on ball defense is poor. I do agree that Bufkin and Williams have some issues as well.
I agree his shooting numbers are solid for a freshman. I suppose that depends on what the expectations were to begin with, a McDonalds AA or a generic freshman.
While he was billed as mostly polished as a shooter, his recruiting profile as a highly ranked recruit and potential one and done would have indicated he was much more athletic than he is by a huge margin. In which case, he certainly would have been expected to grow playmaking and shot creation more easily. That won't happen because he is not that level of athlete.
February 13th, 2022 at 11:21 AM ^
He just turned 18, and IS showing both playmaking and defensive promise as compared to earlier in the year. If you've watched basketball for a while you know that it's just often the case that freshmen do not play fabulously their freshmen year. If I'm reserving some annoyance it's with the older non-contributors.
February 13th, 2022 at 5:49 PM ^
Houstan is 19 (born January 9, 2003).
February 13th, 2022 at 5:54 PM ^
Thanks, I stand corrected. Still very young. I knew that he reclassified, and could still be in high school.
February 14th, 2022 at 5:32 PM ^
Well, technically I could still be in high school too but that wouldn't be a good thing. If he was still in HS, he'd be very unreasonably old. He's an average aged college freshman.
February 14th, 2022 at 5:38 PM ^
This was one of the stupider things I've read on mgoblog in a long stretch here.
https://www.espn.ph/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/29480676/caleb-houstan-no-3-recruit-2022-reclassifies-2021
February 13th, 2022 at 1:12 AM ^
So our bench is averaging 3 points the past two games. The entire bench, put together, six total points. I took a short look back, and no bench player has scored double digits since the IU game 3 weeks ago.
In fact, in the seven games since, the entire bench is averaging 7 points per game.
For the season:
- BJJ - 19 games, 16 with double digit minutes, 1 double digit game. 10 games with 3 points or less.
- T Williams - 21 games, 19 with double digit minutes, 2 double digit games. 14 games with 3 points or less.
- Kobe - 20 games, 11 with double digit minutes, 1 double digit game. 13 games with 3 points or less.
- Frankie - 19 games, 11 with double digit minutes, 0 double digit games. 12 games with 3 points or less.
These four main bench players (all 4-star recruits) have played 89 games and have 4 double digit games between them. It's fair to look at the starters middling performances offensively, but they are getting very little help
February 13th, 2022 at 8:40 AM ^
How did they get that giant helmet on buddha and where is this buddha located?
February 13th, 2022 at 7:36 AM ^
Yeah, the free throw disparity wants noting, in a game that was very physical. It always stinks to lose a game you didn’t need to. T Will, Frankie, Brandon—the bench contribution once again just not there or worse. On the plus side, they are learning how to play D, running their sets and Juwan’s called plays with skill. Four games in eight days makes it all pretty forgivable, though--that's stupid. A tired team missing shots. Let's see how they do with some rest.
February 14th, 2022 at 5:39 PM ^
It would be helpful if Juwan spaced out the minutes that the bench players plays instead of playing them all in together in the second half of the first half. He often puts in Johns, Twill, Bufkin and Frankie at the same time and that's just not setting them up for success.
It doesn't really help Frankie to play with such low usage players as Johns and Twill instead of Hunter. So then Frankie presses way too hard to make things happen and turns it over on a crazy high percentage of plays which in turn doesn't help anyone.
Put in Johns and Twill a little earlier and play them with Jones and Eli who are better capable of the setting them up, and then put in Frankie and Bufkin with Hunter so they have an obvious guy to pass to and let carry the offensive load.
Comments