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 12th, 2020 at 11:51 PM ^
Hmmm... why doesn't that box score show Bajema's 3? THE DUDE DESERVES HIS 3 IN THE BOX SCORE!!!
February 13th, 2020 at 6:52 AM ^
Ace’s box score is incorrect. He gave Johns the credit for the Bajema 3. Hopefully he we see the comments and fix the box score.
February 13th, 2020 at 9:17 AM ^
For what it is worth, ESPN had the same mistake last night. Great to see Bajema (how is that pronounced?) in the game and shooting.
Thanks for allowing my interruption.
February 13th, 2020 at 11:02 AM ^
BADGE-eh-ma
February 13th, 2020 at 12:33 PM ^
You are aware that this isn't "Ace's box score" it's the official one (as it says "Offical Box Score" right at the top).
Ace even calls attention to the mistake right before the box score. IDK what more you want the guy to do?
February 13th, 2020 at 12:10 PM ^
They put "Official Box Score" at the top to show how extra-special it is, and then make a glaring mistake like that. That's bad.
February 13th, 2020 at 12:40 PM ^
Get on Northwestern. They made the mistake on the stats. It’s not Ace’s fault.
February 13th, 2020 at 3:27 PM ^
I'm not blaming Ace. I said "they" (i.e. the Northwestern stat people).
February 13th, 2020 at 7:17 PM ^
Mgoblue.com had it correct so I presume the one attached to the column of Ace is capable of being corrected and that people who read this would want to read an accurate box score. Not faulting Ace for attaching it - he should’ve been able to rely on it.
February 12th, 2020 at 11:56 PM ^
You mentioned after the MSU game that you thought Isaiah Livers was Michigan's best player (in general, not just that game). I think part of what makes this team so dangerous with Livers back in the equation is that there really isn't a best player. On any given night Simpson, Livers, Brooks, Franz, and (as we saw in the final non-Livers games) Johns can all be that guy. Maybe Teske can find the mojo that allowed him to be part of that list earlier in the season (please, for my heart).
Anyways, I really hope it works out that Davis can get a 5th year if he wants it.
February 13th, 2020 at 1:14 AM ^
Livers is like a superglue guy — a glue guy with great basketball IQ who is also a superior athlete. He’s like a catcher who throws out 45% of baserunners and hits 30 HR.
February 13th, 2020 at 10:13 AM ^
Minor quibble, a catcher who throws out 45% of baserunners and hits 30 HRs isn't a glue guy, he's Pudge Rodriguez or Johnny Bench.
But I get what you're saying. I will add on though that without an alpha dog on this team, the ceiling is probably a Sweet 16 team. Getting to the second weekend of the tournament should be considered a tremendous accomplishment for this team. Realistic re-calibration of expectations for me is probably Round of 32 loser.
February 13th, 2020 at 1:30 AM ^
Livers provides the spacing the other players need to be more effective. He can also punish guys for closing out. Brooks can space most nights but he can't get to the rim on a reckless closeout.
February 13th, 2020 at 9:32 AM ^
Livers is the best player on the team. He may not lead the team in points every night, but he's no doubt the best player.
February 13th, 2020 at 11:23 AM ^
It’s interesting that most people, including Dylan from UMHoops, disagree pretty strongly with this take.
February 13th, 2020 at 12:28 AM ^
In the 2 games Livers has been back, Michigan has risen from #28 to #21 in KenPom... wowsers
Also, if Cole Bajema can put on the necessary weight this summer with Camp Sanderson and improve a bit on defense, he is 100% going to be a player. His offensive skill is undeniable
February 13th, 2020 at 11:04 AM ^
I trust you must have seen Bijema in practice to feel so strongly about someone who has hardly played and sits behind Nunez.
February 13th, 2020 at 11:12 AM ^
Did you even read my whole comment? I clearly pointed out that he has flaws on defense and with his body right now. But the kid has shot 8/10 from the field and 3/5 from 3, in limited minutes on the season, but still. Nunez was 1/13 from the field his freshman year...
February 13th, 2020 at 11:20 AM ^
Your pointing out what you believe are Bijema's weaknesses only reinforces my post. Your response confirms that you have not watched practices nor do you have inside info. You (and I) don't have anywhere near enough data to make projections on Bijema. You're just guessing. And, of course, with all of the talent coming in, we may never know. Bijema is likely a transfer candidate.
February 13th, 2020 at 11:47 AM ^
It's Bajema.
February 13th, 2020 at 12:56 AM ^
Ace, love your writing.
I see the similarities, but for us older folks, "Big Country" will always be Bryant Reeves from Oklahoma State. Plus, it's kind of a recent Gus Johnson adaptation and I don't like him anymore because he gets too excited about OSU when we play them in football.
February 13th, 2020 at 1:58 AM ^
I'm quite familiar with Bryant Reeves from a childhood of collecting basketball cards. You'll have to take that one up with the team, which has been calling Davis that pretty much since the moment he stepped foot on campus.
February 13th, 2020 at 6:41 AM ^
The way he’s been playing, he could change his name to Austeem Olajudavis.
February 13th, 2020 at 7:47 AM ^
That's catchy. I'm in.
February 13th, 2020 at 8:47 AM ^
*Hausteem
February 13th, 2020 at 1:04 PM ^
Austeen the Dream
February 13th, 2020 at 3:17 AM ^
He gets excited calling football period. The problem isn't Gus. The problem has been OSU lighting up Michigan.
February 13th, 2020 at 4:51 AM ^
Same thing
February 13th, 2020 at 9:51 AM ^
Too much manufactured enthusiasm. He call every game like its game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals.
February 13th, 2020 at 7:05 AM ^
OK, how about Big County? Or, Little Big Country?
February 13th, 2020 at 4:15 PM ^
Off topic. There is an office co worker of mine who already holds the title of Little Cunty so that's off the table.
February 13th, 2020 at 9:06 AM ^
I read on some lame Lakers blog they call Anthony Davis 'AD'.
February 13th, 2020 at 11:05 AM ^
Wait---Gus gets excited?
February 13th, 2020 at 1:40 AM ^
Anybody else cringe when Livers continues to land his dunks off balance, and threatens to re-injure himself?
For the stud that he is, it sure seemed like he missed a ton of dunks earlier in the season - as if his leap/timing is off, or he is going in semi-out of control and lands awkward each time.
As undeniably valuable as that kid is to this team, especially at this time of year, I'd be telling him to stop trying to rip the rim off the backboard, lay those things in gracefully and please land squarely on two feet.
Heart palpitations every time I watch him go up for a slam.
End of rant...
February 13th, 2020 at 2:02 AM ^
Good advice, and I wouldn't be surprised if Howard is telling him to pick his moments and be sure he has a clear path to the basket. But I don't know if you can convince--or perhaps even tell--a young person to back off from doing those dunks. You couldn't have convinced me. Not that I could ever jump more than 2 inches off the floor.
February 13th, 2020 at 9:04 AM ^
Nope, he seems to have his hops back and that's great to see. Can't play soft or scared.
February 13th, 2020 at 11:24 AM ^
This is very true. Apprehensive basketball usually isn't good basketball. If Livers is constantly thinking about not trying to re-inure himself he's going to lose his offensive flow. Those dunks yesterday are a good sign that he hasn't lost any of his basketball mojo during his injury time. He also had some really nice drives yesterday for layups/fouls.
February 13th, 2020 at 11:12 AM ^
From observation only, when someone dunks he grabs the rim with both hands and his momentum swings him back and forth until he can safely drop in a vertical position. Both times Livers was injured one of his hands was pried loose from the rim by his swing and he fell with most of his weight on one leg that was not directly under his hip.
So, maybe the problem isn't with his jump but with his grip and upper body strength.
February 13th, 2020 at 1:42 AM ^
Good to thump Northwestern, as we should!
Nunez got a rebound!
And, I guess we can put to rest the Bajema redshirt speculation as an explanation for his lack of playing time? Still do not get it...the kid looks like he has big-time scoring potential, do not understand why he has been nailed to the bench.
Davis may be the story of the year, would love to see him back next year.
February 13th, 2020 at 1:44 AM ^
Michigan missed its first 11 shots...and was down 0-4! That is funny, and really says it all about the juggernaut that Collins the younger has assembled...
February 13th, 2020 at 6:51 AM ^
And let’s not confuse ‘close shot’ with ‘good shot’ on those early Teske misses. Something is definitely off with that guy.
He wasn’t really set for any of those half hook shots, his arm angle is bad, no arm extension, and little to no follow through. I didn’t think any of them looked like they’d go in when they left his hand, and they didn’t.
He looks like he’s shot putting them towards the rim.
February 13th, 2020 at 9:38 AM ^
The problem with Teske is that every shot he puts up, he is going away from the basket. He does not have a drop step, so a defender can over play in to the play side and because of that, he has to fade away to put up a shot. That is not a high percentage shot and we are seeing that.
Compare that to Davis who uses the drop step effectively when the defender over-plays him and he is always going to the basket when he shoots.
I would think Howard will be able to get this fixed. It is just a question of when.
February 13th, 2020 at 10:15 AM ^
Sounds like Teske needs an appointment with Dr. James Edwards, Ph.D. in fadeaway big man game.
February 14th, 2020 at 5:31 PM ^
Yeah, every Teske post up was a falling away flat hook. Every Davis post up was a layup leaning toward the basket.
February 13th, 2020 at 3:15 AM ^
Will never forget that bullshit game at Northwestern that ended in the full court pass buzzer beater. They were celebrating like they won the Super Bowl and claiming that this game launched their program because it finally sent them to the tournament. Well, a Michigan Final Four and several unexpected NBA departures (including our head coach!) later, and we kicked their ass by 25 on their home court. They've had seven years under Collins to build a program and got stomped by a first year coach. Is it petty to be this smug for a win over NW? Yes. Do I care? Fuck no
February 13th, 2020 at 9:17 AM ^
They're on the Pat Chambers 9-year-plan
February 13th, 2020 at 7:16 AM ^
More Davis. Less Teske.
February 13th, 2020 at 7:55 AM ^
I'd like to see some analysis (beyond just sorting stats different ways) of Teske's problems getting himself in position for high percentage shots in the post. That 6-8 foot fading line drive hook shot is low percentage. It's amazing that he couldn't get himself in better position closer to the basket against both Nebraska, Rutgers and Northwestern. Seems like smaller, weaker players easily push him away from the basket.
February 13th, 2020 at 9:21 AM ^
Agreed. I should have added that to my points above. He is a step or two too far away for a hook to be a really high percentage shot. Especially the way he is shooting them. If he can't get better position then they need to stop dumping it in to him. Or he needs to back his defender down more after he gets the ball.
February 13th, 2020 at 11:07 AM ^
Teske has always been somewhat hit-and-miss on finishing. But now he's taking shots like yu describe with higher degrees of difficulty. Plus he never kicks out anymore---and guys were wide open.
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