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Michigan Wolverines forward Ignas Brazdeikis (13) reacts with forward Isaiah Livers (4) and guard Zavier Simpson (3) after scoring against the Villanova Wildcats during the first half at Finneran Pavilion on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018(Photo: Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports)

VILLANOVA, Pa. — Not many, or maybe anyone, expected this. 

Well, maybe Zavier Simpson and Charles Matthews did.

Michigan basketball went to Philadelphia and blew out reigning national champion Villanova on their home court, 73-46.

That’s not something you see every day. 

It’s still early in the season, but the 18th-ranked Wolverines proved themselves against a top-10 team in a hostile environment.  

Here are three takeaways from Michigan’s win over No. 8 Villanova.

Michigan’s defense is incredible

In April’s national title game, Michigan’s elite defense was ripped to shreds by Villanova. 

Sure, the Wildcats suffered some losses in the offseason, but this season’s team should be very good. 

And Michigan handled them. 

Villanova turned the ball over 21 times. The Wolverines scored 25 points off those turnovers.

Michigan contested every shot. The Wolverines rotated ball screens and didn’t appear to suffer any blown badignments. They didn’t get back cut. When Villanova got to the rim, things only got more difficult — Michigan had five blocks in the first half.

The biggest difference: a small-ball lineup.

Michigan led, 17-8, at the 10:15 mark when it went to 6-foot-7 Isaiah Livers at center. 

When Jon Teske subbed back in with 25 seconds remaining in the first half, the Wolverines led by 27. 

With Livers, Michigan’s already stingy defense became even more difficult to score against. And the game was over before both teams returned to their locker rooms for halftime.

Offense more than holds its own

A question coming into this game was how Michigan’s offense would respond to the inevitable Villanova run. 

Well, that run never happened, because Michigan scored 44 points and averaged 1.48 points per possession in the first half. 

Matthews hit a pair of difficult turnaround jumpers, had a huge put-back dunk and got to the rim early and often. He led with 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting in the first half.

Simpson was able to attack whenever he wanted against Villanova’s guards. 

And then Michigan got four key 3-pointers, one each from Jordan Poole and Eli Brooks and two from Livers. 

After a couple duds against Norfolk State and Holy Cross, Michigan’s offense woke up on the biggest stage possible.

The little plays count

Villanova made a quick run early in the second half. After a Michigan turnover, the Wildcats had a chance to score in transition.

But Poole got his head around, deflecting a pbad near mid-court. Michigan picked up the loose ball and Simpson found Livers for a layup.

Those types of plays were common all night long. Michigan won nearly every single 50-50 ball and grabbed a handful of tough offensive rebounds that led directly to points. 

Later in the second half, after the crowd had gotten back in the game, Simpson stole a ball from Collin Gillespie. It was a matter of pure effort. 

In general, it looked like Michigan wanted it more. Much more.

Contact Orion Sang: [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @orion_sang.

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