Now 2-0 on the season, Michigan basketball has surprised many by looking much better than the preseason expectations. However, on Monday evening, the early tests against 2022-23 tournament team UNC-Asheville and Youngstown State gave way to a tougher one against a Rick Pitino-coached St. John’s team in the Gavitt Games.
It didn’t take long for the Wolverines to realize they were in a fight.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams surging and ebbing. Just before the half, Michigan surged, taking what was a meager advantage into a 10-point halftime lead. But what would the second half hold?
The Wolverines stayed aggressive in the second half, pushing the lead to as much 18 in the first eight minutes. Then the tout was on thanks to a 22-5 run.
That would be too much for Pitino’s Red Storm, as Michigan beat St. John’s, 89-73. Here are our five takeaways from the game.