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For the second game in a row, Michigan basketball has never lagged behind and here are the main takeaways from the win over Purdue.
There were a lot of impressive things about Michigan’s 70-53 basketball win over Purdue on Friday night, but maybe the fact that the Wolverines never made it to the top of the list.
For those keeping track at home, these are two back-to-back Big Ten games in which Michigan basketball didn’t follow for a second, although there was a drop in performance as UM allowed the Boilermakers to equalize the game at the start.
However, a 7-0 run quickly saw the Wolverines take control and even though Hunter Dickinson was human again, Michigan basketball did roll.
Here are the main points to remember.
Livers Should Be First Team All-Big Ten
Coming into that game I said Michigan was going to need Isaiah Livers or Franz Wagner to play really well and Livers answered the bell with a 22 point performance. He was 3 for 5 from beyond the arc and attacked the bucket, going to the line and doing six of seven there too.
On top of that, he blocked two shots and grabbed 10 rebounds. It was that kind of effort and frankly, the one he had the other night that makes you think he has the talent to be the Big Ten player of the year.
The Wolverines could have three legitimate contenders, although Dickinson is losing momentum with his recent fights, although 10 points isn’t bad. The six turnovers were a bit lousy, but it’s a learning process and his defensive effort made an impact, when he was able to be on the ground.
Still, one of Michigan’s top three players is likely going to be snubbed for some post-season awards, simply because of how deep the league is.
With Eli Brooks and Austin Davis, Livers set the tone. His 3 point shot helped Michigan go their separate ways as the Boilers failed to make a game in the first half and after watching his efforts, it’s hard for me to say anyone on this list is better.
I’m not saying he’s better than Dickinson or Wagner. But he’s as good as anybody and when he shoots the ball like he did on Friday Michigan is going to be really tough to beat.
Eli Brooks makes a monster difference
While Dickinson struggled with turnovers and fouls, Wagner struggled to get the ball down. But because of the way Eli Brooks opened up the game, it didn’t matter. He made a 3-point early, played his consistently impeccable defense and found creative ways to score inside.
His last line reads: 11 points, five rebounds, two blocks, two steals and zero turnovers. He’s been said to be the glue guy for this team before, but it showed up again on Friday night. He was the biggest difference between that result and last Saturday’s loss to Minnesota, when he hadn’t played.
Big Ten’s best defense strikes again
Trevion Williams torched Michigan basketball last season, but on Friday he was held down 14 points on 6 of 19. Dickinson’s length got him in trouble on the inside, as did Johns and Davis off the bench. in different ways.
Purdue obviously missed Sasha Stefanovic and the Boilers moved up to just 2 of 12 from deep, but the Wolverines also held them to just 33% on 2-point attempts and that was a huge difference in the game.
It’s easy to get caught up in offense, but this win was all about defense and at 8-1 in the Big Ten the Wolverines are still alone atop the Big Ten standings.
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