The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN BASKETBALL Record: 18-7, 10-3 Big Ten. Record from Jan. 21-Feb. 16: 5-3. Best Win — 80-75 over Michigan State in East Lansing: Michigan stared down its toughest road challenge in this and most any year, venturing into a building where the hatred for maize and blue is palpable. It faced an MSU team loaded with talent, coached by a maestro at whipping up the home crowd, and backed by that officiating-influencing choir. For a half, it looked like the Wolverines would get drowned out, after getting drowned, period, in East Lansing a year ago. But they fought back from an eight-point first-half deficit, stayed strong and ripped away a crucial win on the road. Sophomore Nik Stauskas and freshman Derrick Walton Jr. led the way with 19 points each. Stauskas nailed a clutch three-pointer, followed by a strong-to- the-hole three-point play by Walton to gain the Wolverines some separation. Then Walton rose up and put the Spartans away down the stretch, finishing off a 9-of-10 day at the free throw line. Caris LeVert added 17 for the Wolverines, who raised their recent success against the Spartans to five out of the last seven. Worst Loss — 75-62 against Wisconsin at Crisler Center: Michigan seemed to come out in a fog, committing seven first-half turnovers with no assists, and a determined group of Badgers simply took over. Wisconsin jumped out to a 34-19 first-half lead, and U-M never could come all the way back. LeVert notched a career-high 25 points, but Wisconsin big man Frank Kamin- sky matched that exactly, including several huge buckets after the Wolverines had clawed back from 18 down to trail by just three. On a day when the Wol- verines could have taken over sole first place in the Big Ten, they couldn't find enough answers at either end of the court. Breakout Performer — Caris LeVert: LeVert stepped to the fore as Michi- gan's most consistent scorer when Stauskas was schemed against extensively by opposing defenses. LeVert not only posted the 17 in East Lansing, he was about the only thing the Wolverines had going offensively in losses at Iowa (22 points) and against the Badgers at home (25). He also averaged 6.4 rebounds per game over the past seven, with more than two assists per game. LeVert has become Michigan's best at creating his own shot off the dribble, his extensive summer work paying off. Impact Freshman — Derrick Walton Jr.: In addition to Walton's heroics in East Lansing, the freshman stepped up in another huge road victory, this one at Columbus. ESPN commentator Dan Dakich described Walton as "the most MICHIGAN BASKETBALL REWIND: JAN. 21-FEB. 16