The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/432566
MICHIGAN BASKETBALL BASKETBALL REWIND: NOV. 15-DEC. 9 Record: 6-3 Best Win — 68-65 over Syracuse in Ann Arbor: Michigan was missing a few pieces from the last time these two teams got together, in the NCAA semifinals in Atlanta. Namely, all five Wolverines who started that game were gone, early entries into the NBA. Whether or not this is vintage Syr- acuse remains to be seen, but Jim Boeheim brought plenty that was rec- ognizable to Crisler Center — long, skilled athletes, powerful offensive re- bounders and a zone that causes fits in opponents' preparation and execution. Michigan overcame all of that, in a con- fidence-engendering victory at home. With sophomore guard Derrick Wal- ton Jr. still smarting from a foot injury and limited to 26 minutes, junior guard Spike Albrecht stepped up spectacu- larly, scoring 11 points and dishing out nine assists in the game. U-M featured five players in double figures, led by sophomore forward Zak Irvin's 18 and supplemented significantly by fresh- man forward Ricky Doyle's 12. The Orange led by two at the half, but the Wolverines took control with seven minutes remaining, going up by 10. Boeheim's crew stormed back to tie the game, but Albrecht's clutch NBA-range three-pointer helped seal the deal for Michigan. Worst Loss — 72-70 against New Jersey Institute of Technology in Ann Arbor: NJIT became ninjas inside Crisler Center, pulling the early stunner of the year in college basketball. While the Wolverines acknowledged later they may not have enjoyed their highest level of focus coming off the win over Syracuse, the Highlanders did what they needed to do to win. When Michigan let them hang around in the first half, despite 11 NJIT turn- overs in the opening 20 minutes, the door for disaster remained cracked. NJIT Sophomore guard Derrick Walton Jr. has been hampered by a foot injury, and he was averaging 12.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game through Dec. 10. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN