The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN BASKETBALL Michigan Basketball Rewind Covering Dec. 22-Jan. 15 Record: 5-2 (Overall: 14-4, Big Ten: 4-2) National Ranking: No. 13, Associated Press, No. 13, ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll Best Win — 66-64 over Northwestern (OT): Please note, this category doesn't involve the "prettiest" win, because Michigan's overtime survival against the Wildcats at Crisler Arena was anything but attractive to the casual observer. The Wolverines fell behind by double digits, connected on just 7 of 30 three-pointers and appeared destined for a disheartening home loss. Instead, they overcame a world of adversity, much of which they created them- selves. Captain Zack Novak road the bench for nearly the entire first half due to foul trouble, and Michigan shot its worst percentage of the season (33.3). But the Wolverines rallied behind 19 points apiece from sophomore Tim Hardaway Jr. and freshman Trey Burke. Burke's 8-of-8 effort from the free throw line helped close the Wildcats out, and formed a large part of Michigan's game- saving 15-of-16 free throw performance. Michigan also locked down on defense to spark the comeback, allowing one field goal over the final 8:18 of regulation. Afterward, U-M head coach John Beilein pointed out the Wolverines secured their best RPI win of the season. Northwestern (which snapped Michigan State's 15-game winning streak three days later) is a team to be reckoned with, Beilein cautioned. Worst Loss — 75-59 to Iowa: Michigan simply couldn't find its legs or its game in Iowa, days after rallying to beat Northwestern. This time, Burke hit the bench with early foul trouble, and played a grand total of seven minutes out of the first 20, while the Wolverines fell behind by 10. They never caught up, with Burke, Hardaway and sophomore Evan Smotrycz combining to go 2 of 19 from three-point range. Overall, U-M connected on just 25.8 percent (8 of 31) from beyond the arc, got outrebounded, 39-30, and watched Iowa's Matt Gatens (19 points, 4 of 7 on threes, 5 of 5 on free throws) put on a show. Burke wound up leading the Wolverines with 19 points, but roughly half of them came after the Hawkeyes had the game well in hand. Senior Zack Novak (14 points, a team-high eight rebounds, 4 of 8 on threes) gave Michigan its best effort amid a harsh dose of Big Ten road reality. MVP — Trey Burke: Burke rose to the top of the list during this span, with a number of efforts worthy of note. He led the rally past Northwestern, and hasn't backed down from any Big Ten competition. Even his absence in the first half of the road game at Iowa revealed how important he is to what the Wolverines are doing. Impact Freshman — Trey Burke: Burke earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week hon- ors twice in December, and emerged from the month second among Big Ten fresh- men in scoring average and third overall in average assists. He led the Wolverines in assists and was second in scoring behind only Hardaway through mid-January. Game To Watch: Michigan at Ohio State, Jan. 29: The Buckeyes dropped a pair of Big Ten contests early, and will look to defend their home court while trying to climb to the top of the Big Ten. The Wolverines will travel to Columbus in the middle of five out of six on the road, in the toughest stretch of the season. — John Borton Freshman point guard Trey Burke led U-M in assists (4.9 an outing) and was second in scor- ing (14.3 points a game) through 18 contests. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL 56 THE WOLVERINE FEBRUARY 2012 stood at 34.8 percent, seventh in the Big Ten and well behind league-leader Indiana's 45.0. U-M's field goal defense (41.2 per- cent) was sixth in the conference. Its most glaring defensive deficiency involved guarding the three-pointer, with the Wolverines ninth in the league, opponents connecting on 35.4 percent. The Wolverines made it to mid- January seventh in the Big Ten in re- bounding margin, at plus-2.7. They were eighth in average assists (13.5), dead last in average steals (5.0), eighth in turnover margin (plus-1.72) and seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.2). Michigan did get through the first six games of the Big Ten second in the league in average three-pointers made per contest (8.3, behind only North- western's 8.8). But the Wolverines at- tempted 150 threes through their first 18 games, more than any other Big Ten squad. ❑ Date 2011-12 Michigan Basketball Schedule Opponent Nov. 11 Ferris State Nov. 14 Towson Nov. 17 Western Illinois Nov. 21 vs. Memphis^ Nov. 22 vs. Duke^ Nov. 23 vs. UCLA^ Nov. 29 at Virginia Dec. 3 Iowa State Dec. 10 vs. Oakland# Dec. 13 Arkansas-Pine Bluff Dec. 17 Alabama A&M Dec. 22 Bradley Dec. 29 Penn State Jan. 1 Minnesota Jan. 5 at Indiana Jan. 8 Wisconsin Jan. 11 Northwestern Jan. 14 at Iowa Jan. 17 Michigan State Jan. 21 at Arkansas Jan. 24 at Purdue Jan. 29 at Ohio State Feb. 1 Indiana Feb. 5 at Michigan State Feb. 8 at Nebraska Feb. 12 Illinois Feb. 18 Ohio State Feb. 21 at Northwestern Feb. 25 Purdue Feb. 26 Purdue Mar. 1 at Illinois Mar. 4 at Penn State Result/Time/TV W, 59-33 W, 64-47 W, 59-55 W, 73-61 L, 82-75 W, 79-63 L, 70-58 W, 76-66 W, 90-80 W, 63-50 W, 87-57 W, 77-66 W, 71-53 W, 61-56 L, 73-71 W, 59-41 W, 66-64 (OT) L, 75-59 7 p.m./ESPN 2 p.m./CBS 7 p.m./ESPN 1 p.m./CBS 6:30 p.m./BTN 1 p.m./CBS 8:30 p.m./BTN 1 p.m./CBS 9 p.m./ESPN 8 p.m./BTN 6 p.m./BTN, OR TBD/CBS/ESPN 7 p.m./ESPN (or 2) TBD/TBD Mar. 8-11 Big Ten Tournament* ^ EA Sports Maui Invitational at Lahaina, Hawaii (field includes Chaminade, Duke, Georgetown, Kansas, Mem- phis, Michigan, Tennessee and UCLA); # at Auburn Hills, Mich.; * at Indianapolis