Michigan had a ten-point lead and seemingly victory well in hand with five minutes to play yesterday. Instead, the game ended with a close-as-can-be buzzer beater from Charles Matthews to clinch the victory. It was a fitting end to a game that saw an ugly first half from Michigan fixed up by some strong play in the second half before the thrilling conclusion to see the Wolverines defend the home court and move to 18-1.
Game Story:
Michigan turned the ball over on the first possession of the game and it led to a Gabe Kalscheur just nine seconds later. That was an ominous sign to start the game, and things would need some leveling out. The Wolverines needed a drive-and-score from Jordan Poole over three-and-a-half minutes into the game for their first field goal, but it was the bigs of Minnesota doing damage. Despite an Isaiah Livers three, Michigan was forced into an early timeout down 16-8 thanks to a quick 6-0 Gopher run with two close-range finishes from Jordan Murphy. Fortunately for Michigan, Murphy picked up his second foul just over ten minutes into the game and saw the bench for the vast majority of the rest of the half. With the big man out, Michigan's offense found a rhythm largely due to the efforts of Jon Teske. The big man scored nine points on a 13-4 run in favor of Michigan to tie the game at 23-23 into a TV timeout. This was slightly fleeting, Eric Curry hit a three to close out Minnesota's scoring in the half, but it was sandwiched in-between two Ignas Brazdeikis takes to the rim putting Michigan within a possession and down just 31-28 at the half.
Coming out of the second half it was Brazdeikis to get the team started with a made three, another lay-in and a foul, and getting fouled on his three-pointer and hitting two of those three free throws to tie the game at 37-37. After that, it was Zavier Simpson with his running hook in the lane and a steal and lay-up to give Michigan their first lead of the game and force a Minnesota timeout with the Golden Gophers down four after a 12-1 run by Michigan over three minutes. The timeout only stemmed the bleeding as Brazdeikis was fouled on another three and hit all three and Eli Brooks shake 'n' baked his way to a lay-up finish past Dupree McBrayer. Another Richard Pitino timeout was in order after a Teske block, Brooks find, and Livers' dunk giving Michigan the 50-39 lead. From there, Michigan and Minnesota traded baskets, but a Teske pull-up two off a Poole find to make things 57-47 with four minutes left seemed to be the end, but not without a fight. Two quick buckets from Amir Coffey then McBrayer led to a John Beilein timeout with 2:52 to play and his team's lead cut to six. Michigan went cold, Coffey hit another two, then with 34 seconds on the clock it was the freshman sniper Kalscheur drilling a three to tie things up at 57 a piece. Michigan called a timeout, ran their set, got Brazdeikis an opportunity to drive, but saw his shot sent back by Curry. It was hauled in by Charles Matthews who, despite being quiet all game, pulled up with a floater just barely, by the smallest of margins, beating the shot clock and hitting a jumper as time expired. It was a troubling collapse, but a thrilling end to give Michigan the 59-57 victory over a team that always plays them tough.
What Happened:
For Michigan, production came in the two halves from two different key sources. In the first half, Jon Teske's eleven points were absolutely essential in not just keeping Michigan in the game, but helping them in the second half as well with a pair of key field goals. Teske was seven-for-eight from the field and currently is 10-for-21 from three in conference play. His ability to play pick-and-pop offense in the Michigan offense has not just given them another option, it has given them a dangerous weapon as the big center may be 7'2", but he is quick on defense with his hands, imposing in defense (there was a point where instead of going up against him, Dupree McBrayer as he hung in the air bounced the ball between the legs to no one in particular), and can now hit the three. He has been the conference's most efficient player in the conference season with an offensive rating of 135 and a PORPAGATU! of 3.4 that now sits third on the team. The junior was clutch, but another man worthy of praise was Ignas Brazdeikis. Iggy went four-for-eighteen from the field, but he was nine-for-eleven from the free throw line and was key in keeping Michigan hanging around late in the first half and getting things level early in the second half. Getting him driving and back going after a zero-point game in Madison is essential to this team in making sure they stave off concerns that they may have peaked too early.
Despite the win, of course, there are concerns with the performance. At home, against a team that was blown out against Illinois and only beat Penn State at home by one, they simply could not find any sort of rhythm. They were just 3-for-22 from three, no player had more than one three. Jordan Poole had just three points on five shots. Zavier Simpson, despite a key four point spurt and three steals, had zero assists, went zero-for-four from three, and three-for-eleven from the field, and Charles Matthews found foul trouble and just seven points, but among those were the two most important of the game. Ahead of a key showdown with Indiana on the road, Michigan will desperately need two of their key offensive facilitators in Poole and Matthews to get back going, and perhaps that buzzer beater is exactly what Matthews will need to snap out of what has been a season that, while not poor, has seen him scuffle along at times and seen nearly all key stats either drop or make very limited improvement.
In terms of Minnesota, the Gophers were hurt by foul trouble in the first half, as well as improved defense by Michigan for the second half. Jordan Murphy finished the game with four fouls and, as mentioned, saw his second come just ten minutes into the game. He finished with fifteen points and ten rebounds on five-for-ten shooting, but that is a fairly pedestrian night for the big man and he surely would have ended up with more if it were not for renewed energy by the Wolverines on the defensive end in the second half. Daniel Oturu, the freshman center, started the game off the bench and he, too, finished the game with four fouls in just ten minutes of play, plus three turnovers including having the ball ripped out of his hands by Simpson for a lay-up. The shift to Eric Curry starting proved well thought out as the big man hit a three and finished with nine rebounds. Still, the foul trouble meant Michael Hurt and Jarvis Omersa saw play, and Hurt saw ten minutes, in a game where neither man may have figured to play a role in. Of course, the guards must also be touched upon as while Gabe Kalscheur will be celebrated despite going just four-for-ten (but three-for-seven for three with the clutch three to tie the game with 34 seconds), Amir Coffey's four-for-eleven, eleven point night is a sign of the guard's continued inconsistency. Still a potential draft project, Coffey's season has been plagued by inconsistency and weak scoring numbers and efficiency from a man who has to play a vital role for the Golden Gophers. He must figure things out for this Minnesota side.
Some final quick thoughts about Michigan. It was clear that Kalscheur was marked out as a shooter, as players left their feet on his shot-fakes several times. That makes Simpson and Poole getting mixed up on a screen to allow the tying shot of his only more frustrating for the coaching staff, surely. Speaking of Simpson, I touched on him briefly, but as he goes, so too do the Wolverines. It is clear they rely on him for ball movement and the offense to run. His zero assist game I think absolutely has correlation with what was a slow shooting night for Michigan. His back-up, Eli Brooks, saw extended minutes especially with Matthews plagued by fouls. His lay-up were the only two points he had, but zero turnovers and two assists in 23 minutes played is a great step for the sophomore. Brandon Johns got a minute of back-up center play over Austin Davis and hit a free throw. It remains interesting to follow who is the back-up center on this team.
What's Next:
Michigan voyages off to another arena that has caused them many painful memories, Assembly Hall. Indiana, however, started a five-game losing streak with their loss in Ann Arbor to Michigan, and since has stretched it to include a loss at Northwestern and a home thumping given at the hands of an inconsistent Nebraska team. Rob Phinisee is back for the Hoosiers, but Devonte Green has been suspended indefinitely on the team, and De'Ron Davis is reportedly injured as well. The teams square off Friday at 6:30 P.M. in Bloomington, where Michigan hopes to exorcise some demons.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for plenty more Michigan basketball coverage, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Liverpool FC coverage as well!
Game Story:
Michigan turned the ball over on the first possession of the game and it led to a Gabe Kalscheur just nine seconds later. That was an ominous sign to start the game, and things would need some leveling out. The Wolverines needed a drive-and-score from Jordan Poole over three-and-a-half minutes into the game for their first field goal, but it was the bigs of Minnesota doing damage. Despite an Isaiah Livers three, Michigan was forced into an early timeout down 16-8 thanks to a quick 6-0 Gopher run with two close-range finishes from Jordan Murphy. Fortunately for Michigan, Murphy picked up his second foul just over ten minutes into the game and saw the bench for the vast majority of the rest of the half. With the big man out, Michigan's offense found a rhythm largely due to the efforts of Jon Teske. The big man scored nine points on a 13-4 run in favor of Michigan to tie the game at 23-23 into a TV timeout. This was slightly fleeting, Eric Curry hit a three to close out Minnesota's scoring in the half, but it was sandwiched in-between two Ignas Brazdeikis takes to the rim putting Michigan within a possession and down just 31-28 at the half.
Coming out of the second half it was Brazdeikis to get the team started with a made three, another lay-in and a foul, and getting fouled on his three-pointer and hitting two of those three free throws to tie the game at 37-37. After that, it was Zavier Simpson with his running hook in the lane and a steal and lay-up to give Michigan their first lead of the game and force a Minnesota timeout with the Golden Gophers down four after a 12-1 run by Michigan over three minutes. The timeout only stemmed the bleeding as Brazdeikis was fouled on another three and hit all three and Eli Brooks shake 'n' baked his way to a lay-up finish past Dupree McBrayer. Another Richard Pitino timeout was in order after a Teske block, Brooks find, and Livers' dunk giving Michigan the 50-39 lead. From there, Michigan and Minnesota traded baskets, but a Teske pull-up two off a Poole find to make things 57-47 with four minutes left seemed to be the end, but not without a fight. Two quick buckets from Amir Coffey then McBrayer led to a John Beilein timeout with 2:52 to play and his team's lead cut to six. Michigan went cold, Coffey hit another two, then with 34 seconds on the clock it was the freshman sniper Kalscheur drilling a three to tie things up at 57 a piece. Michigan called a timeout, ran their set, got Brazdeikis an opportunity to drive, but saw his shot sent back by Curry. It was hauled in by Charles Matthews who, despite being quiet all game, pulled up with a floater just barely, by the smallest of margins, beating the shot clock and hitting a jumper as time expired. It was a troubling collapse, but a thrilling end to give Michigan the 59-57 victory over a team that always plays them tough.
What Happened:
For Michigan, production came in the two halves from two different key sources. In the first half, Jon Teske's eleven points were absolutely essential in not just keeping Michigan in the game, but helping them in the second half as well with a pair of key field goals. Teske was seven-for-eight from the field and currently is 10-for-21 from three in conference play. His ability to play pick-and-pop offense in the Michigan offense has not just given them another option, it has given them a dangerous weapon as the big center may be 7'2", but he is quick on defense with his hands, imposing in defense (there was a point where instead of going up against him, Dupree McBrayer as he hung in the air bounced the ball between the legs to no one in particular), and can now hit the three. He has been the conference's most efficient player in the conference season with an offensive rating of 135 and a PORPAGATU! of 3.4 that now sits third on the team. The junior was clutch, but another man worthy of praise was Ignas Brazdeikis. Iggy went four-for-eighteen from the field, but he was nine-for-eleven from the free throw line and was key in keeping Michigan hanging around late in the first half and getting things level early in the second half. Getting him driving and back going after a zero-point game in Madison is essential to this team in making sure they stave off concerns that they may have peaked too early.
Despite the win, of course, there are concerns with the performance. At home, against a team that was blown out against Illinois and only beat Penn State at home by one, they simply could not find any sort of rhythm. They were just 3-for-22 from three, no player had more than one three. Jordan Poole had just three points on five shots. Zavier Simpson, despite a key four point spurt and three steals, had zero assists, went zero-for-four from three, and three-for-eleven from the field, and Charles Matthews found foul trouble and just seven points, but among those were the two most important of the game. Ahead of a key showdown with Indiana on the road, Michigan will desperately need two of their key offensive facilitators in Poole and Matthews to get back going, and perhaps that buzzer beater is exactly what Matthews will need to snap out of what has been a season that, while not poor, has seen him scuffle along at times and seen nearly all key stats either drop or make very limited improvement.
In terms of Minnesota, the Gophers were hurt by foul trouble in the first half, as well as improved defense by Michigan for the second half. Jordan Murphy finished the game with four fouls and, as mentioned, saw his second come just ten minutes into the game. He finished with fifteen points and ten rebounds on five-for-ten shooting, but that is a fairly pedestrian night for the big man and he surely would have ended up with more if it were not for renewed energy by the Wolverines on the defensive end in the second half. Daniel Oturu, the freshman center, started the game off the bench and he, too, finished the game with four fouls in just ten minutes of play, plus three turnovers including having the ball ripped out of his hands by Simpson for a lay-up. The shift to Eric Curry starting proved well thought out as the big man hit a three and finished with nine rebounds. Still, the foul trouble meant Michael Hurt and Jarvis Omersa saw play, and Hurt saw ten minutes, in a game where neither man may have figured to play a role in. Of course, the guards must also be touched upon as while Gabe Kalscheur will be celebrated despite going just four-for-ten (but three-for-seven for three with the clutch three to tie the game with 34 seconds), Amir Coffey's four-for-eleven, eleven point night is a sign of the guard's continued inconsistency. Still a potential draft project, Coffey's season has been plagued by inconsistency and weak scoring numbers and efficiency from a man who has to play a vital role for the Golden Gophers. He must figure things out for this Minnesota side.
Some final quick thoughts about Michigan. It was clear that Kalscheur was marked out as a shooter, as players left their feet on his shot-fakes several times. That makes Simpson and Poole getting mixed up on a screen to allow the tying shot of his only more frustrating for the coaching staff, surely. Speaking of Simpson, I touched on him briefly, but as he goes, so too do the Wolverines. It is clear they rely on him for ball movement and the offense to run. His zero assist game I think absolutely has correlation with what was a slow shooting night for Michigan. His back-up, Eli Brooks, saw extended minutes especially with Matthews plagued by fouls. His lay-up were the only two points he had, but zero turnovers and two assists in 23 minutes played is a great step for the sophomore. Brandon Johns got a minute of back-up center play over Austin Davis and hit a free throw. It remains interesting to follow who is the back-up center on this team.
What's Next:
Michigan voyages off to another arena that has caused them many painful memories, Assembly Hall. Indiana, however, started a five-game losing streak with their loss in Ann Arbor to Michigan, and since has stretched it to include a loss at Northwestern and a home thumping given at the hands of an inconsistent Nebraska team. Rob Phinisee is back for the Hoosiers, but Devonte Green has been suspended indefinitely on the team, and De'Ron Davis is reportedly injured as well. The teams square off Friday at 6:30 P.M. in Bloomington, where Michigan hopes to exorcise some demons.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for plenty more Michigan basketball coverage, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Liverpool FC coverage as well!
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