Michigan looks average in losing a double-digit lead - and the game - at Wisconsin
This wasn't necessarily a game Michigan was supposed to win, but the Wolverines let a possible one slip out of their hands against Wisconsin, 54-48, on Wednesday. That turned what could have been a very good performance into an average one.
OFFENSE
Michigan had more turnovers than assists for the second time in three games. It shot 36.2 percent and missed three open-to-fairly-open layups. The bench not only didn’t score a point - it didn’t even attempt a shot. Senior forward DeShawn Sims was dominant throughout the game’s first 30 minutes. He carried the Wolverines and made them look at least average on offense, although everyone else around him missed a ton. Sims made 9 of 14 shots. The rest of Michigan combined to make 8 of 23.
GRADE: C-
DEFENSE
For 30 minutes, Michigan played really good defense. It forced the Badgers into bad shots. It held them to 4 of 24 from the three-point line and 18 of 53 from the field. Michigan even outrebounded Wisconsin, 34-33. But the Wolverines didn’t force turnovers and they struggled to find Wisconsin star Trevon Hughes when it counted in the last 10 minutes. It spoiled, at the end, another good defensive showing.
GRADE: C
COACHING
Sims may have looked gassed at the end of the game, but Michigan had a chance to blow open the game in the first half with Sims dominating in the first half. Michigan twice had 11-point leads in the first half and a nine-point one in the second and lost all three. The decision to pull Sims to get him rest in the first half cost Michigan the chance to possibly have a rare runaway in the Kohl Center. Consider, Michigan didn’t score in the first three-minute break Sims had and then had three points total the next time the Wolverines rested him.Â
Have to give Beilein credit for the initial strategy, though, as Sims really took it at Wisconsin early and opened up shooters. The Wolverines’ players just couldn’t make the open shots.
GRADE: C-
Comments
LakeErieMaize&Blue
Thu, Jan 21, 2010 : 1:05 p.m.
So don't play the teams that are terrible match-ups for Michigan and don't play away games and we should win every game(according to Tater)!? So I guess we've won every home game this season,right? No excuses.The better TEAM(which we were not last night) won.Manny Fresh had an off game and as usual,the other players(other than Sims)couldn't make a layup! Not gonna win many games(I don't care who it's against or where)playing like that.Plus only scoring 48pts.SMH. This season aint looking to hot(or consistent)!Lets GO BLUE!!!
azwolverine
Thu, Jan 21, 2010 : 9:15 a.m.
Tough loss. Wisconsin is a tough place to play, but you've got to hold onto those leads and take advantage of those opportunities when you have them. That's twice now Michigan has lost big leads in B10 games. Purdue won't be any easier...they've got to play consistent from start to finish to beat good teams. Still not giving up hope on this season...
81wolverine
Thu, Jan 21, 2010 : 8:29 a.m.
The poor development of the younger players has been discouraging this year. I was expecting a lot more. Outside of Sims and Harris (as usual), Michigan got very little from the rest of the team. Next year is starting to look frightening with S & H gone.
Ann Arbor Resident
Thu, Jan 21, 2010 : 3:38 a.m.
It appears this team does not have what it takes to win in the Big 10. Sims has finally started to play well but he does not have a supporting cast. Manny Harris is a great individual player and he has recently been able to carry the team through the second half. That did not happen tonight resulting in a loss. I am afraid we will see more of this as the team progreses through the remainder of the Big 10 schedule. Unless there is a fundamental shift in their playing leve, they are heading towards a sub-.500 Big-10 record and will not be invited to the NCAA tournament (unless they can win the Big 10 tournament).