[jwplayer IlaUuWPE-XNcErKyb]
After falling at Michigan State and dropping to 19th in the latest Associated Press poll, Michigan returned to Ann Arbor on Thursday for another Big Ten showdown, this time with the Purdue Boilermakers.
Purdue entered the contest 3-3 in its last six games, including a blowout loss to Illinois (63-37) in their last action.
The Wolverines are in desperate need to hold serve on their home court after opening conference play with a 1-2 record.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team building a lead by more than four points. The lead changed hands 11 times before Michigan took an 32-28 advantage into the locker room.
POSITIVES:
- Franz Wagner was active in the first half vs. the Boilers after a quiet afternoon in East Lansing on Sunday. The freshman finsihed the half with 7 points on 3-of-7 shooting, and added 3 rebounds and 2 steals.
- Jon Teske continues to be the most consistent player on Michigan’s roster. The senior center has been steady all season, and that continued in the first half Thursday as he totaled 8 points on 3-of-6 shooting. Still, Teske needs to be more active on the boards, as he was limited to just one in the first half.
- In each of their four losses this season, Michigan’s opponents have played tight on shooters and forced point guard Zavier Simpson to be a scorer. That’s not Simpson’s game, and he struggled with his shooting percentage in those contests. On Thursday, however, the senior point guard has been much more patient with the basketball and has looked to set up his teammates. Simpson finished the first half with just 4 points, but he shot a perfect 2-for-2 from the floor and added 6 assists.
- Although the offense has struggled, the Wolverines have done a good job forcing turnovers on defense. Purdue finished the half with 11 giveaways. When you’re struggling to score, those extra possession come in handy.
NEGATIVES:
- Shooting troubles have been the story for Michigan when they go on the road, but those struggles followed them back to Ann Arbor tonight. The Wolverines were just 13-of-29 from the floor in that first half, and once again shot an ugly percentage from the three-point line (3-of-12). This is the top concern for this team right now, as they’ve slumped to a 4-3 record in their last seven games. The coaching staff needs to draw up ways to get guys open looks, and players need to knock those shots down. It’s really that simple.
- Purdue’s Trevion Williams was a big time problem for Michigan in the first half. Williams finished the half with 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting and added 6 rebounds. The Wolverine bigs will need to do a better job on him in the first half.