Michigan had no Thanksgiving hangover as the Wolverines dominated Chattanooga 83-55 in their final game before a battle with North Carolina and with most Michigan fan eyes set squarely on The Game tomorrow at noon.
Game Story:
Michigan was truly never troubled by the Mocs. From a second possession drive-and-score by Ignas Brazdeikis, Michigan started to roll. The last time it was a one-possession game was at 5-2 with 18 minutes left in the first half. Isaiah Livers hit a three after that and the ball quickly began to roll. Whether it was the outside shots falling, Jordan Poole had an early one go in along with a second from Livers, or Jon Teske's domination inside the paint and around the rim, Michigan's lead quickly expanded to 31-14. Chattanooga found their points from behind the arc generally. In the first half, they had just four three-pointers made compared to just four two-pointers. Michigan took a 42-22 lead into the half, aided greatly by 12 first-half points from Livers, but they weren't done. The sides exchanged buckets to start the half, but even then it was quickly overpowering from the Wolverines. Michigan continued to build their lead, capped off by a Brazdeikis bucket to double the Mocs score, 72-36, with still eight minutes left. Kevin Easley put in ten points in three-and-a-half garbage time minutes against the freshmen, but CJ Baird nailed a three and Michigan got to set on cruise-control to close out the game.
What Happened:
13-for-39 is the story of the game, as it has been for most of the season. That was the two-point field goals stats for Chattanooga, who found very few chances inside the paint. Jon Teske is already a known presence down low, but Isaiah Livers has quickly become a player to watch both offensively and defensively. Livers stands at just 6'7" but the offseason has been vital to his betterment. His 12 points included two made threes and despite just one shot taken in the second half, he impacts the game in the paint as well with his long reach. He was frequently switching on the guards of Chattanooga, especially Donovan Toatley (the quick freshman point guard from Maryland) but he stayed in front of his men on the perimeter and played well defensively. He's instant offense off the bench and has been John Beilein's finest revelation of the season.
Praise also continues to be heaped upon Ignas Brazdeikis as the freshman forward/wing/all-positions-needed scored 20 points in just 19 minutes. His three-point shot is starting to show itself even more as he went two-for-four on the evening and continues to drive with great efficiency. There is a reason Sports Illustrated has him listed as the 30th overall pick in their first mock draft released just a few days ago. He's strong, developing a great outside shot, and is already a good free throw shooter meaning further development could be seen in his shot's development. I am looking forward to watching him continue to grow, and to see if he indeed could be a one-and-done from Michigan. He joins Charles Matthews in players where NBA buzz is aplenty. Speaking of Matthews, despite just eight points and two-for-nine shooting from the field, the free throw shots have been looking much improved and his three assists do not do justice to his ability to create for others.
Chattanooga is a vastly changed team from last season, so this result does not shock me. They have the raw talent in players like Toatley, Kevin Easley, and Maurice Commander, all three of whom are just freshmen, but there is a lack of understanding with each other. Easley's 21 looks far more impressive than it was, with, as previously mentioned, ten coming in garbage time. Thomas Smallwood found the better of Jon Teske once from deep, and twice early from two, but aside from that he was shut down. And likewise, as is now traditions, the guards of Chattanooga were shut down. Toatley, Commander, Jerry Johnson, Jr., and David Jean-Baptiste, went a combined 9-for-33. The size and speed of Michigan's defense continues to be too much as Zavier Simpson and Eli Brooks harassed guards whenever they were on the court, and Teske continues to be a seven-footer that can switch onto point guards with effectiveness.
There's plenty other things to note, here are just a few. Eli Brooks looked outstanding today and perhaps played his best game this season. He scored nine points, went three-for-five (with one in-and-out three), three rebounds, two assists, and a memorable steal where he absolutely smothered center Justin Brown in the corner, coming away with the ball. His shot looks good and I think he's more suitable as a shooting guard. Austin Davis also looked good in ten minutes with plenty of solid post moves. He could be a key against North Carolina who, as shown against Texas and UCLA, lack interior depth. His fellow center, Jon Teske, had three steals, twelve rebounds, another mid-range jumper scored, and a pair of athletic finishes at the rim. He continues to impress. Finally, an update on the freshmen. All four non-starters got minutes, including seven for David DeJulius, a season high. Only Colin Castleton recorded a point (a free throw) and he also had five solid rebounds. Brandon Johns looks a bit more comfortable, especially at wing, but all four look nervous and need to adjust to the college game. These minutes all four men could be vital in key spots as 2018 turns into 2019 this season.
What's Next:
The ACC/Big Ten Challenge awaits Michigan, and with it is a rematch of last season's showdown in Chapel Hill. North Carolina handled their business last season, but now Michigan looks to get revenge on Wednesday night at 9:30 PM on ESPN. It is a Maize Out for Crisler and student tickets are sold out. The hope is that the arena will be rocking for the biggest non-conference home game of the season.
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 was truly never troubled by the Mocs. From a second possession drive-and-score by Ignas Brazdeikis, Michigan started to roll. The last time it was a one-possession game was at 5-2 with 18 minutes left in the first half. Isaiah Livers hit a three after that and the ball quickly began to roll. Whether it was the outside shots falling, Jordan Poole had an early one go in along with a second from Livers, or Jon Teske's domination inside the paint and around the rim, Michigan's lead quickly expanded to 31-14. Chattanooga found their points from behind the arc generally. In the first half, they had just four three-pointers made compared to just four two-pointers. Michigan took a 42-22 lead into the half, aided greatly by 12 first-half points from Livers, but they weren't done. The sides exchanged buckets to start the half, but even then it was quickly overpowering from the Wolverines. Michigan continued to build their lead, capped off by a Brazdeikis bucket to double the Mocs score, 72-36, with still eight minutes left. Kevin Easley put in ten points in three-and-a-half garbage time minutes against the freshmen, but CJ Baird nailed a three and Michigan got to set on cruise-control to close out the game.
What Happened:
13-for-39 is the story of the game, as it has been for most of the season. That was the two-point field goals stats for Chattanooga, who found very few chances inside the paint. Jon Teske is already a known presence down low, but Isaiah Livers has quickly become a player to watch both offensively and defensively. Livers stands at just 6'7" but the offseason has been vital to his betterment. His 12 points included two made threes and despite just one shot taken in the second half, he impacts the game in the paint as well with his long reach. He was frequently switching on the guards of Chattanooga, especially Donovan Toatley (the quick freshman point guard from Maryland) but he stayed in front of his men on the perimeter and played well defensively. He's instant offense off the bench and has been John Beilein's finest revelation of the season.
Praise also continues to be heaped upon Ignas Brazdeikis as the freshman forward/wing/all-positions-needed scored 20 points in just 19 minutes. His three-point shot is starting to show itself even more as he went two-for-four on the evening and continues to drive with great efficiency. There is a reason Sports Illustrated has him listed as the 30th overall pick in their first mock draft released just a few days ago. He's strong, developing a great outside shot, and is already a good free throw shooter meaning further development could be seen in his shot's development. I am looking forward to watching him continue to grow, and to see if he indeed could be a one-and-done from Michigan. He joins Charles Matthews in players where NBA buzz is aplenty. Speaking of Matthews, despite just eight points and two-for-nine shooting from the field, the free throw shots have been looking much improved and his three assists do not do justice to his ability to create for others.
Chattanooga is a vastly changed team from last season, so this result does not shock me. They have the raw talent in players like Toatley, Kevin Easley, and Maurice Commander, all three of whom are just freshmen, but there is a lack of understanding with each other. Easley's 21 looks far more impressive than it was, with, as previously mentioned, ten coming in garbage time. Thomas Smallwood found the better of Jon Teske once from deep, and twice early from two, but aside from that he was shut down. And likewise, as is now traditions, the guards of Chattanooga were shut down. Toatley, Commander, Jerry Johnson, Jr., and David Jean-Baptiste, went a combined 9-for-33. The size and speed of Michigan's defense continues to be too much as Zavier Simpson and Eli Brooks harassed guards whenever they were on the court, and Teske continues to be a seven-footer that can switch onto point guards with effectiveness.
There's plenty other things to note, here are just a few. Eli Brooks looked outstanding today and perhaps played his best game this season. He scored nine points, went three-for-five (with one in-and-out three), three rebounds, two assists, and a memorable steal where he absolutely smothered center Justin Brown in the corner, coming away with the ball. His shot looks good and I think he's more suitable as a shooting guard. Austin Davis also looked good in ten minutes with plenty of solid post moves. He could be a key against North Carolina who, as shown against Texas and UCLA, lack interior depth. His fellow center, Jon Teske, had three steals, twelve rebounds, another mid-range jumper scored, and a pair of athletic finishes at the rim. He continues to impress. Finally, an update on the freshmen. All four non-starters got minutes, including seven for David DeJulius, a season high. Only Colin Castleton recorded a point (a free throw) and he also had five solid rebounds. Brandon Johns looks a bit more comfortable, especially at wing, but all four look nervous and need to adjust to the college game. These minutes all four men could be vital in key spots as 2018 turns into 2019 this season.
What's Next:
The ACC/Big Ten Challenge awaits Michigan, and with it is a rematch of last season's showdown in Chapel Hill. North Carolina handled their business last season, but now Michigan looks to get revenge on Wednesday night at 9:30 PM on ESPN. It is a Maize Out for Crisler and student tickets are sold out. The hope is that the arena will be rocking for the biggest non-conference home game of the season.
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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