The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/230001
MICHIGAN BASKETBALL Michigan Basketball Rewind: Nov. 18-Dec. 15 Record: 6-4 overall, 0-0 Big Ten. Record from Nov. 18-Dec. 15: 4-3. Best Win — 82-80 over Florida State in overtime: Michigan's rally from a 16-point deficit with 17:18 to go in the game propelled the Wolverines to an 8280 overtime win in the semifinals of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Nov. 22. U-M had to fight back against a bigger and more physical FSU squad, but did so thanks to 26 points by sophomore guard Nik Stauskas, seven of which he scored in overtime. Freshman Derrick Walton Jr. scored 15 with six assists, while sophomores Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III notched 14 and 13 points, respectively. Worst Loss — 72-70 against Arizona: There's no shame in losing to the No. 1 team in the nation. But after the Wolverines led almost the entire game, including by nine at halftime, letting this one slip away proved extremely painful. Arizona flexed its muscle on the boards, outrebounding the Wolverines 37-24, and began scoring from close range down the stretch. Robinson's sterling first half (16 points, on 7-of-7 shooting) and game-high 20 points weren't enough for the Wolverines to hold off the Wildcats down the stretch. Breakout Performer — Mitch McGary: The Wolverines desperately need the catalyst from their 2013 NCAA Tournament run to get back up to speed, following three months on the sidelines with an ailing back. They started to see progress from McGary over the past month. His 15 points and 14 rebounds at Duke helped keep the Wolverines in the game, but he's not all the way back, evidenced by eight points and four rebounds in 22 minutes against Arizona. Still, his return signals better days for the Wolverines. Impact Freshman — Zak Irvin: Irvin's Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors during this span shows he's being noticed. He scored 24 against Coppin State with six three-pointers, and tossed in 14 against Houston Baptist. He's still coming of the bench and finding his way against the toughest foes (he did not score against Zak Irvin earned Big Ten Arizona), but Irvin has shown he can deliver points and Freshman of the Week defense for John Beilein's team. honors after pouring in a Game To Watch — Michigan at Minnesota, Jan. 2: career-high 24 points in The Big Ten season is racing toward the Wolverines. U-M's 87-45 victory over In a relatively manageable opening two weeks of the Coppin State Nov. 29. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN conference slate, this game sticks out like Tom Izzo amid slam-dunk contestants. U-M gets an early shot at proving itself on the road. — John Borton