The trap game of all trap games has once again occurred for Michigan. A scuffling, yet talented, Penn State team has beaten a top-six Michigan team searching for a Big Ten Championship in Bryce Jordan Center. This one was not as close as the 2012-13 team's defeat.
Game Story:
From the opening tip, it was clear Penn State was fired up, and it was clear who would help lead the team. Jamari Wheeler snatched the opening tip right away from Zavier Simpson and laid it up and in to immediately give the Nittany Lions a 2-0 lead. Michigan responded with five quick points, including a Charles Matthews three, but the lead was quashed after Myles Dread hit his first three of the night. Penn State would go up 7-5, and they would never allow Michigan to lead again. Michigan tied it, but Dread drilled another three. That started a quick 10-2 Penn State run ending in an and-one finish from Lamar Stevens to go up 17-9. Michigan made it 17-12, but both teams went cold for two full minutes. Josh Reaves added a three, but Michigan's two twos to sandwich it followed by a Jordan Poole lay-up made it 20-18. That was the last time Michigan would get within a possession's grasp as Penn State rattled off another 7-2 run forcing a Michigan timeout after Poole threw the ball away. The timeout did not stop the bleeding. Matthews hit a big three to cut the lead to six, but the Wolverines fouled Reaves on a three and he hit two of his three from the line. Dread hit another three to push the lead to double-figures for the first time at 36-25. Penn State kept up the pressure and finished with a controversial lay-up from Rasir Bolton to put them up 40-27 at the half. Why controversial, you may ask. John Beilein felt there was a moving screen on Simpson and exploded pent up frustration of a half where he felt calls went against his team. He was ejected with back-to-back technical fouls and would give Penn State four free throws coming out of the half.
Bolton took the four and hit three, giving Penn State a 43-27 lead before play even began. Simpson answered with an immediate three right back, but yet again Reaves was fouled on a three and hit two. Dread hit another three, John Harrar was found down low, and Penn State, despite six quick points for Michigan, was still up by a commanding 50-35. Right about here is where Isaiah Livers picked up a big three with the shot clock winding down and two free throws to put Michigan just ten down with 15:30 still to go. Teske's and-one made it double-digits once again, and Matthews' jumper made it 52-47 with Penn State needing a timeout with just under twelve to play. Matthews split two separate pairs of free throws to make it 55-51, and Michigan came up with a rebound, but a key momentum swing occurred. Poole missed badly on a contested three with plenty of time still on the shot clock. That led to another Dread three. Poole was then short on a three he got himself open for. That led to a missed lay-up but put-back for Mike Watkins. Just like that, Michigan were back down nine just a minute after having a huge chance to cut it to a one-possession lead. Matthews made it back to six with a three, this coming shortly after an egregious missed double-dribble from Watkins resulting in a bucket, but Penn State kept applying pressure while Michigan went three minutes and 45 seconds without a point, and a full 4:45 before a field goal -- Poole following his own free throw miss to make it 68-59. Michigan still made things interesting. Matthews had four quick points, two off a turnover, and it was 69-63 with fifty seconds to play. Michigan fouled Stevens who hit just one of two and Simpson answered with a three. Suddenly it was 70-66. Stevens redeemed himself with a pair, then Simpson turned the ball over crucially. Poole hit a three to make it 73-69 after a pair more free throws, but could not hit another down 74-69. Stevens hit one more free throw to properly ice the game and give Penn State a wild 75-69 victory, their second Big Ten win on the season.
What Happened:
Michigan were utterly dominated in the first half. Penn State had them beaten thoroughly in the first half in every aspect of the game: offensively, defensively, on the glass (especially the offensive glass) and turnovers. The 'good news' of this loss is that the national runners-up of 2013 went through a similar thing. The 'bad news', though, is that these two teams are apples to oranges. While the team this season has an elite defense, even despite the struggles this evening, the offense is nowhere near as effective as that of the side that compromised of National Player of the Year Trey Burke at point guard and a stable of four first round draft picks as starters, and the fifth still playing in the league. Ignas Brazdeikis was three-for-three early with six points, then picked up two fouls. He shot one more time in the second half. Zavier Simpson committed six turnovers and had zero points in the first half as he was utterly harassed by Jamari Wheeler. Jordan Poole was one-for-eight from three. Jon Teske got just two shots. Michigan were outrebounded by ten total boards and beaten thirteen-to-four on the offensive glass. The numbers are fairly condemning of the Wolverines. But there is still plenty of time for Michigan to right the ship as they did in 2013.
There was a massive plus side in this game, and that was Charles Matthews returning back to form as he has been showing this game and last. The wing was eight-for-eleven with an outstanding 24 points. While he fouled out, he still went three-for-four from three and despite a couple key missed free throws, he still went five-for-eight from the line. Matthews was the catalyst for Michigan's second half performance, just as he was for the victory at home against Wisconsin. He has been the go-to guy these past two games, and it could be argued he needs more shots perhaps. When Penn State was closing down hard and denying set plays for others, he was able to make things happen offensively. He deserves serious credit for Michigan having a fighting shot both in the middle of the second half as well as later in the game.
Penn State did plenty right as well, so let's spend a bit of time on them. Penn State's best line-up was without question a small-ball set with Lamar Stevens as center. Stevens' final line may look a bit inefficient with 26 points on 23 shots, but it is misleading. Stevens was huge in the first half as he was able to get to the rim at will against the bigger Teske. It is rare to see anyone bully Teske into the paint, but Stevens did that well. Michigan allowed him to settle for jumpers, and he struggled when they did. Putting Isaiah Livers on him was a huge shift in the game's play as well, as Livers' size and foot speed suffocated Stevens. The supporting cast was great, however, and Myles Dread deserves his fair share of the spotlight. Going five-for-eight from deep, Dread finished with seventeen points. Multiple of those threes were wide-open looks that he was able to bury. There was also the aforementioned spark by Jamari Wheeler. Michigan runs as Simpson does. Wheeler's defending on the junior point guard forced him into a heaping amount of mistakes that are usually not seen from the stellar point guard. The Nittany Lions were playing a perfect game in the first half, but Michigan was indeed able to throw some wrinkles at them. By choosing players to switch and putting Teske or Brandon Johns, who appeared briefly in the game, on Wheeler, that let Livers take Stevens instead. That, plus a more intense defensive approach, played Michigan into the game. They simply could not flip the game once they had a foothold, though.
There is plenty to say about a loss as jarring as this. It serves as a wake-up call, which is perhaps highlighted most of all by John Beilein's ejection at the half. Michigan did not seem mentally ready for a Penn State team that would be, and it showed all throughout the first half. This game also highlighted some ugly truths about this Michigan team. They need a spark off the bench that is not named Isaiah Livers. Jon Teske and Zavier Simpson make this team go; if you shut down one (or both) things become a whole lot easier for opposing teams. There is also a concern that perhaps Ignas Brazdeikis may have hit the freshman wall that occurs so often in Big Ten play. The key is to not dwell on the loss. Michigan has been able to return from their previous two losses with big wins: a buzzer-beater at home against Minnesota and a laid-back double-digit victory at Rutgers. They now need to do the same once again.
What's Next:
Michigan return home to take on #24 Maryland, who are coming off a huge win at home against Purdue. The Terrapins held Purdue to under 20% shooting in the second-half and their talented freshmen carried them to a massive victory in terms of playing them into the Big Ten title picture. The game is Saturday at noon.
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:
From the opening tip, it was clear Penn State was fired up, and it was clear who would help lead the team. Jamari Wheeler snatched the opening tip right away from Zavier Simpson and laid it up and in to immediately give the Nittany Lions a 2-0 lead. Michigan responded with five quick points, including a Charles Matthews three, but the lead was quashed after Myles Dread hit his first three of the night. Penn State would go up 7-5, and they would never allow Michigan to lead again. Michigan tied it, but Dread drilled another three. That started a quick 10-2 Penn State run ending in an and-one finish from Lamar Stevens to go up 17-9. Michigan made it 17-12, but both teams went cold for two full minutes. Josh Reaves added a three, but Michigan's two twos to sandwich it followed by a Jordan Poole lay-up made it 20-18. That was the last time Michigan would get within a possession's grasp as Penn State rattled off another 7-2 run forcing a Michigan timeout after Poole threw the ball away. The timeout did not stop the bleeding. Matthews hit a big three to cut the lead to six, but the Wolverines fouled Reaves on a three and he hit two of his three from the line. Dread hit another three to push the lead to double-figures for the first time at 36-25. Penn State kept up the pressure and finished with a controversial lay-up from Rasir Bolton to put them up 40-27 at the half. Why controversial, you may ask. John Beilein felt there was a moving screen on Simpson and exploded pent up frustration of a half where he felt calls went against his team. He was ejected with back-to-back technical fouls and would give Penn State four free throws coming out of the half.
Bolton took the four and hit three, giving Penn State a 43-27 lead before play even began. Simpson answered with an immediate three right back, but yet again Reaves was fouled on a three and hit two. Dread hit another three, John Harrar was found down low, and Penn State, despite six quick points for Michigan, was still up by a commanding 50-35. Right about here is where Isaiah Livers picked up a big three with the shot clock winding down and two free throws to put Michigan just ten down with 15:30 still to go. Teske's and-one made it double-digits once again, and Matthews' jumper made it 52-47 with Penn State needing a timeout with just under twelve to play. Matthews split two separate pairs of free throws to make it 55-51, and Michigan came up with a rebound, but a key momentum swing occurred. Poole missed badly on a contested three with plenty of time still on the shot clock. That led to another Dread three. Poole was then short on a three he got himself open for. That led to a missed lay-up but put-back for Mike Watkins. Just like that, Michigan were back down nine just a minute after having a huge chance to cut it to a one-possession lead. Matthews made it back to six with a three, this coming shortly after an egregious missed double-dribble from Watkins resulting in a bucket, but Penn State kept applying pressure while Michigan went three minutes and 45 seconds without a point, and a full 4:45 before a field goal -- Poole following his own free throw miss to make it 68-59. Michigan still made things interesting. Matthews had four quick points, two off a turnover, and it was 69-63 with fifty seconds to play. Michigan fouled Stevens who hit just one of two and Simpson answered with a three. Suddenly it was 70-66. Stevens redeemed himself with a pair, then Simpson turned the ball over crucially. Poole hit a three to make it 73-69 after a pair more free throws, but could not hit another down 74-69. Stevens hit one more free throw to properly ice the game and give Penn State a wild 75-69 victory, their second Big Ten win on the season.
What Happened:
Michigan were utterly dominated in the first half. Penn State had them beaten thoroughly in the first half in every aspect of the game: offensively, defensively, on the glass (especially the offensive glass) and turnovers. The 'good news' of this loss is that the national runners-up of 2013 went through a similar thing. The 'bad news', though, is that these two teams are apples to oranges. While the team this season has an elite defense, even despite the struggles this evening, the offense is nowhere near as effective as that of the side that compromised of National Player of the Year Trey Burke at point guard and a stable of four first round draft picks as starters, and the fifth still playing in the league. Ignas Brazdeikis was three-for-three early with six points, then picked up two fouls. He shot one more time in the second half. Zavier Simpson committed six turnovers and had zero points in the first half as he was utterly harassed by Jamari Wheeler. Jordan Poole was one-for-eight from three. Jon Teske got just two shots. Michigan were outrebounded by ten total boards and beaten thirteen-to-four on the offensive glass. The numbers are fairly condemning of the Wolverines. But there is still plenty of time for Michigan to right the ship as they did in 2013.
There was a massive plus side in this game, and that was Charles Matthews returning back to form as he has been showing this game and last. The wing was eight-for-eleven with an outstanding 24 points. While he fouled out, he still went three-for-four from three and despite a couple key missed free throws, he still went five-for-eight from the line. Matthews was the catalyst for Michigan's second half performance, just as he was for the victory at home against Wisconsin. He has been the go-to guy these past two games, and it could be argued he needs more shots perhaps. When Penn State was closing down hard and denying set plays for others, he was able to make things happen offensively. He deserves serious credit for Michigan having a fighting shot both in the middle of the second half as well as later in the game.
Penn State did plenty right as well, so let's spend a bit of time on them. Penn State's best line-up was without question a small-ball set with Lamar Stevens as center. Stevens' final line may look a bit inefficient with 26 points on 23 shots, but it is misleading. Stevens was huge in the first half as he was able to get to the rim at will against the bigger Teske. It is rare to see anyone bully Teske into the paint, but Stevens did that well. Michigan allowed him to settle for jumpers, and he struggled when they did. Putting Isaiah Livers on him was a huge shift in the game's play as well, as Livers' size and foot speed suffocated Stevens. The supporting cast was great, however, and Myles Dread deserves his fair share of the spotlight. Going five-for-eight from deep, Dread finished with seventeen points. Multiple of those threes were wide-open looks that he was able to bury. There was also the aforementioned spark by Jamari Wheeler. Michigan runs as Simpson does. Wheeler's defending on the junior point guard forced him into a heaping amount of mistakes that are usually not seen from the stellar point guard. The Nittany Lions were playing a perfect game in the first half, but Michigan was indeed able to throw some wrinkles at them. By choosing players to switch and putting Teske or Brandon Johns, who appeared briefly in the game, on Wheeler, that let Livers take Stevens instead. That, plus a more intense defensive approach, played Michigan into the game. They simply could not flip the game once they had a foothold, though.
There is plenty to say about a loss as jarring as this. It serves as a wake-up call, which is perhaps highlighted most of all by John Beilein's ejection at the half. Michigan did not seem mentally ready for a Penn State team that would be, and it showed all throughout the first half. This game also highlighted some ugly truths about this Michigan team. They need a spark off the bench that is not named Isaiah Livers. Jon Teske and Zavier Simpson make this team go; if you shut down one (or both) things become a whole lot easier for opposing teams. There is also a concern that perhaps Ignas Brazdeikis may have hit the freshman wall that occurs so often in Big Ten play. The key is to not dwell on the loss. Michigan has been able to return from their previous two losses with big wins: a buzzer-beater at home against Minnesota and a laid-back double-digit victory at Rutgers. They now need to do the same once again.
What's Next:
Michigan return home to take on #24 Maryland, who are coming off a huge win at home against Purdue. The Terrapins held Purdue to under 20% shooting in the second-half and their talented freshmen carried them to a massive victory in terms of playing them into the Big Ten title picture. The game is Saturday at noon.
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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