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Posted on Sun, Jan 8, 2012 : 5:03 p.m.

Michigan basketball team bounces back to shut down No. 18 Wisconsin, 59-41

By Nick Baumgardner

UMBB_Wisconsin_Novak.jpg

Michigan's Zack Novak communicates with his team during the Wolverines' 59-41 win against Wisconsin Sunday at the Crisler Center.

Chris Asadian | AnnArbor.com

Updated 5:03 p.m.

Old school met new school Sunday at the Crisler Center.

And the kids didn't disappoint.

Tim Hardaway Jr. racked up his first double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds and the 16th-ranked Michigan basketball team bounced back from its first Big Ten loss of the year with a 59-41 drubbing of No. 18 Wisconsin.

"This was such a team win for us, and what really makes it special was who we played and how we played against them," Michigan coach John Beilein said. "Wisconsin has done such a great job of not beating themselves over the years, and that's a big part of our formula.

"To have them come to our place, and beat them like that, is a good step in the right direction."

The game was part of a special dedication weekend for the Michigan basketball program's new Player Development Center.

MICHIGAN 59, WISCONSIN 41

Nick Baumgardner’s recap:

IMPRESSING THE GREATS
With Michigan legends Cazzie Russell, Rudy Tomjanovich and Phil Hubbard in attendance to help dedicate its Player Development Center, Michigan put together perhaps its best defensive effort of the season. The win snapped a 10-game losing streak to the Badgers, and was coach John Beilein's first victory against Wisconsin.

GRIT PERSONIFIED
Wisconsin was struggling to score entering the game, shooting just 34 percent over its last two games. Michigan took no pity. The Wolverines forced Wisconsin into ugly shots all day, limiting them to 16 field goals and a 31.4-percent shooting night. From two-point range, Wisconsin was 9 of 30. Michigan also forced 12 turnovers, four more than Wisconsin's average.

BURKE OUTPLAYS TAYLOR
Trey Burke's just a freshman and Jordan Taylor's an All-American. It didn't matter Sunday. Burke turned in 14 points, three rebounds and two assists, but more importantly, was crucial in limiting Taylor. Burke spent most of the afternoon chasing the Badger senior, and was successful, limiting him to 12 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Taylor also had three turnovers.

QUOTE
"(Wisconsin) has done such a great job over the years of not beating themselves, playing high-level, high-IQ basketball, and that's a big part of our formula. So, to have them come to our place and be able to beat them like that was a good step in the right direction."
Michigan coach John Beilein


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The Wolverines welcomed back several basketball alums from the past six decades to be a part of the festivities, including Cazzie Russell, Phil Hubbard, Rudy Tomjanovich and Daniel Horton.

"That was awesome," Michigan senior guard Zack Novak said. "To have those guys come and talk to us before the game, I mean, they call it 'the house that Cazzie built.'

"It was kind of surreal."

The win also served as a bounce-back game for Michigan (13-3, 3-1 Big Ten). The Wolverines suffered their first league setback of the year on the road at Indiana on Thursday.

It also marked Michigan's first win over the Badgers in 10 tries. The last Wolverine win in the series came by way of an 85-76 victory over the Badgers on Jan. 28, 2006.

As for Wisconsin, the Badgers have now lost three straight, falling to 12-5, 1-3 in the Big Ten.

"Sometimes getting burned is a great lesson teacher," Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said. "The light's got to go on with some of these guys, now that they're getting major minutes."

Freshman point guard Trey Burke finished with 14 points and three rebounds for the Wolverines, while Novak added 12 points.

Michigan hounded Wisconsin defensively all afternoon long, holding the Badgers to 31.4 percent shooting. Wisconsin was led by senior Jordan Taylor, who finished with 12 points on 5-for-15 shooting.

With baskets at a premium early, Michigan found itself with an early deficit after a Taylor breakout layup capped a 10-0 Badger run to make it 12-10 Wisconsin midway through the first.

The Wolverines climbed back, though, embarking on a lengthy 9-2 run that took six minutes of game time. The stretch was polished off by a Burke jumper giving Michigan a 23-16 edge just before the break.

After taking a six-point lead into the half, the Wolverines seized control of the game to start the second half.

Michigan held Wisconsin without a point for the first five minutes of the half, rattling off a 7-0 run of its own to move in front 32-19, its largest lead of the night.

Wisconsin got back within 10 three minutes later, but no closer, as Burke's coast-to-coast 3-point play got a roar from the crowd and capped a 7-0 Michigan run, pushing the edge up to 17 at 43-26 with 10 minutes left.

Novak and Stu Douglass, the team's co-captains, then summarized Michigan's gritty afternoon minutes later when Douglass dove to the floor to force a turnover near midcourt. Novak, also on the floor, gathered the ball before dropping a pass over his head into the waiting arms of Burke.

The freshman did the rest, sprinting the other way for an uncontested layup, drawing the loudest roar of the night and effectively taking the rest of the air out of Wisconsin's sails.

"They'd won a few 50-50 balls early, and we just wanted to win the rest," Novak said. "When you're not going to get many possessions with the ball, you've got to get every one that you can.

"It was a dog fight. You couldn't be afraid to get on the floor."

Michigan shot 39.6 percent from the floor and also out-rebounded the Badgers, 38-29. Sophomore forward Jordan Morgan ended his day with four points and 11 rebounds for the Wolverines, who will host Northwestern on Wednesday (6:30 p.m., Big Ten Network).

Beilein said Michigan's defensive performance was "as good as its been since I've been here." Players said the victory was the team's best overall effort to date.

Considering the numbers, it was hard to argue.

"I think it really is the best game we’ve played," Burke said. "We’re coming off a loss to Indiana, and we came out to prove that we can still play with some of the best."

Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.

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Comments

Mick52

Mon, Jan 9, 2012 : 6:06 p.m.

Good game. Rankings are insignificant in basketball but how is it that Indiana, ranked 12 last week with Michigan 13 can move up to 8 when they win by just two points at home? Seemed to me after that game the those two rankings were appropriate and Michigan should be ranked right behind Indiana. Michigan did not drop, but just does not seem to make sense, Michigan should have tailed Indiana up to #9.

Meral

Mon, Jan 9, 2012 : 4:15 p.m.

It is so hard to choose. You have Zack who is like a one man wrecking crew, Hardaway always great player but last night I thought Trey Burke very queitly got it going. He went inside and took charge. I love watching all the players. Happy to see Eso and Brundage on the floor. But coach Beilein keep them on the floor more then 60 seconds. Also Coach Beilein when are we going to see the great Ricky Green in Crisler Center.

mookienation

Mon, Jan 9, 2012 : 4:47 a.m.

I wish Novak was good enough to play in the NBA. I don't want to quit watching him play after this season is over. One of my favorite Michigan athletes ever.

semperveritas

Mon, Jan 9, 2012 : 1:11 p.m.

personally i wish he had a year of eligibility left to spend the fall playing linebacker for brady hoke.

Tesla

Mon, Jan 9, 2012 : 3:53 a.m.

He has the same pose as the jazzercize girl in the ad next to the story on the main page. LOL

boo

Mon, Jan 9, 2012 : 3:35 a.m.

I want to see hardaway buy into playing better defense. The rest of the guys seem to play hard on defense. Its not that he doesn't play defense. I just think he can play it harder and better for his team.

Topher

Mon, Jan 9, 2012 : 2:44 a.m.

Good win for you guys. Wisconsin's style prevents them from making big comebacks, but credit Blue with knowing how to beat them and getting out in front. Burke is pretty solid, but I think we will see him have an even better sophomore year.

vi4mi4

Mon, Jan 9, 2012 : 1:58 a.m.

when Cazzie speaks, ..a Wolverine win on natl. television.. THAT was U of M hoops.. Go Blue! v

semperveritas

Mon, Jan 9, 2012 : 12:03 a.m.

unbelievable effort from everyone. jordan morgan was a bear on the boards. hardaway jr REBOUNDED unlike any other time this season. burke is phenomenal. mclimans with a valuable few minutes. as for stuey and zak---- when they leave, john beilein needs to erect a statue in the new building honoring both. they have become the foundation of the rebuilding of the program. the effort they expended today was a thing of gritty beauty.

Townie

Sun, Jan 8, 2012 : 10:10 p.m.

I was at the game and Novak was the really incredible player. He didn't take all the shots but was diving everywhere, taking the hits, etc. 125% of the time. And that's the way he plays EVERY game. I spend half the game wincing at the hits he takes (often on charges that the refs ignore). He must be a mass of bruises and hardwood burn after every game but he comes back a couple of days later and does it all over again! He may not have the flashy stats but anyone at the game will remember him and his incredible play.

Veracity

Sun, Jan 8, 2012 : 9:18 p.m.

Congratulations! By far this was the best defensive effort of the year for Michigan. How many breakaway lay ups did Wisconsin have? How many easy backdoor lay ups did Wisconsin have? How poorly did Wisconsin shoot over all and at 3-point range? Michigan out worked the Badgers during the entire game and earned an impressive win. Continue this pattern of play in every remaining game and great things will happen in March. Go Blue!

heartbreakM

Sun, Jan 8, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.

If every player on Michigan plays with the heart of Novak, we'd be unbeatable or something like that. Love this whole team, but Novak brings something that others don't. (And I'll give Stu some props too, even if he misses too many of his shots--he plays with a lot of heart). These 2 seniors play with so much heart and leadership--reminds me of Lee and Merritt a few years ago.

Roadman

Sun, Jan 8, 2012 : 9:04 p.m.

Tim Hardaway, Jr. - a chip off the old block.