[jwplayer 6NgwNuDJ-XNcErKyb]
Both the Wolverines and Buckeyes started the 2019-20 season hot, earning spots in the AP Top 5 back in December. However, the month of January was unkind to both programs.
Michigan (13-8) and Ohio State (14-7) both went 2-5 last month and now find themselves unranked and in the bottom tier of the Big Ten standings with 4-6 records in conference play.
Both teams traded scoring runs in a low-scoring first half that saw the Buckeyes shoot 41 percent from the floor while the Wolverines hit just 31 percent of their shots. Ohio State led 28-27 at the break.
The second half was five-point window, with neither team able to gain any advantage over the other. It was a 12-round fight of a game, but the knock out punch was delivered by the Buckeyes with a 61-58 final score.
1. Another loss at crisler center
Once again, the Wolverines failed to defend their home court in a winnable game. Michigan had already dropped home games to ranked opponents Oregon, Penn State and Illinois, and now you can add Ohio State to the list of visiting opponents to steal a game in Ann Arbor. Going unbeaten at home is not the expectation, but teams that are on the bubble for an NCAA Tournament berth need to take advantage of their home games against quality opponents. Michigan has failed to do so on numerous occasions this season.
2. a physical game with few whistles
This was one of the more physical games we’ve seen in recent memory at the Crisler Center, but you wouldn’t know it if you looked at the box score. The two teams combined to shoot just 19 free throws, despite the fact the style of play from both clubs defensively included impeding off-ball movement and hand-checks/body bumps on ball-handlers. This was the epitome of an officiating crew “letting the teams play”. Some on-lookers enjoy that type of play, while other (Jay Bilas included) are frustrated by it. In the end, the team willing to play tougher won, and that was Ohio State.
3. Simpson and Teske Disappoint, again
Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske are the senior captains of this team. Entering the year, both were coming off strong junior campaigns and expected to lead a young roster through the coaching transition from John Beilien to Juwan Howard. However, in my opinion, that hasn’t been the case. What I’ve seen from both seniors have been disappointing. Yes, Simpson is near the top of the country in assists, but his perimeter defense has taken a step back, his turnovers are up and he still struggles to score consistently. He also served a one-game suspension due to a violation of team rules, and cost his team tonight with a flagrant foul late in the game to give the Buckeyes two free throws at a key moment. Teske, meanwhile, has not been a good rim protector this season like he was a year ago, his three-point shooting has regressed, and he has consistently underwhelmed with his rebounding efforts.
4. Austin davis has a career game
Junior Austin Davis had perhaps the best game of his career on Tuesday night. He finished with 11 points and went 4-of-4 from the floor. He also had 3 rebounds and a blocked shot. Davis is limited as a player, but he’s played well at times this season as a backup to Teske, and the points he contributed tonight kept the Wolverines in the game.
5. Another opportunity coming Saturday
Michigan will host their other rival, Michigan State, this coming Saturday in a contest that provides the Wolverines another opportunity to add to their postseason resume. The Spartans — currently tied atop the Big Ten standings — will obviously be favored in that matchup, but if Michigan can defend home court and pull off the upset it would be a big boost to their bubble status. It’s hard to imagine the Wolverines winning that game with the way both teams have played since the turn of the calendar year, but you never know in college basketball.