COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State coach Thad Matta chose his words carefully, at one point pausing for nearly 30 second to think about how he wanted to phrase an answer. Michigan coach John Beilein, mid-answer, stopped and joked that a reporter was trying to bait him.

The questions, unsurprisingly, were about the officiating during No. 1 Ohio State’s 62-53 win over Michigan on Thursday night — most notably the second half, when the Wolverines had seven fouls in the first six minutes.

“It’s huge,” Beilein said. “It’s something we have got to learn. We traditionally do not get to the foul line lots as a team, but we usually get there more than four times.

“They were disappointed in that and it is part of (Ohio State’s) normal plan of getting there. But it puts us in foul trouble.”

In all, Michigan was called for 23 fouls, 16 in the second half. Ohio State had 11, five in the second half.

While Michigan’s players weren’t complaining about the disparity, they did notice it. And said it took their young team out of their rhythm.

“When the team fouls are 7-0, what can you do? You can’t do nothing about it,” Michigan freshman guard Tim Hardaway Jr. said. “Just probably have to stop fouling.

“We probably don’t think we’re fouling but the refs see it and we can’t argue it.”

Michigan was tied, 34-34, despite the quick foul pickups.

Vogrich out Matt Vogrich clutched a Gatorade water bottle as he walked onto the Value City Arena floor for final warmups Thursday, the last Michigan player to do so.

Instead of wearing maize like the rest of his teammates, he had on full blue warmups. He also went straight for the bench instead of trying to play.

“He tried to warm up,” Beilein said. “But he couldn’t do anything today at all.”

Vogrich had the flu and was his availability was a game-time decision.

Burke pays a visit As Michigan played on the court, part of its future watched from the stands.

Columbus-based Trey Burke, a Northland High point guard who has committed to Michigan, sat a few rows behind the Ohio State bench.

In the midst of the Buckeyes’ student section, three of the four members of the Burke family in attendance all wore blue.

After the game Beilein told Burke, who counts Ohio State star Jared Sullinger among his best friends, that he was brave for wearing blue in the sea of scarlet and gray.

“He was a very brave young man,” Beilein said. “All dressed in blue and coming into this place.

“We can’t wait to coach him, he’s a fine young man and he’s going to help us a great deal.”

This and that Ohio State fifth-year senior David Lighty has now been on Buckeyes teams that have been on 22- and-23-game win streaks. … Sophomore guard Darius Morris moved into ninth place on Michigan's single-season assists list. With four against Ohio State, he passed Rumeal Robinson (159) and Eric Turner (160) for his current mark of 162. Next up, Antoine Joubert’s 164 assists in 1984-85. … Ohio State sold out Value City Arena on Thursday. The Buckeyes are 50-13 in sellouts. … Ohio State senior Dallas Lauderdale had his 200th career blocked shot.

Michael Rothstein covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.