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After an unprecedented jump in the Associated Press poll, from unranked to No. 4, Michigan traveled to Louisville on Tuesday to play their third consecutive game against a Top 10 opponent.
The Cardinals, hosting Michigan for the ACC/Big Ten challenge, came in as the No. 1 team in America. As if facing the top-ranked team in the nation wasn’t difficult enough, this is also the Wolverines first true road game of the year.
Michigan struggled to find its footing in this game, and they trail at the break by a score of 28-18.
POSITIVES:
- The Wolverines played stellar defense in the opening 10 minutes of the game, limiting Louisville to just 12 points on 5-of-17 shooting. Michigan wasn’t able to maintain that level of play on the defensive end, but still limited the Cardinals to 28 points on 32 percent shooting.
- Jon Teske didn’t shoot the ball very well in the first half, but he was the only player you could point to and see production. The big guy finished the first half with 8 points, 6 rebounds and a steal.
- Rebounding was a concern early this season for Michigan, but they were much better in that department in the Bahamas and are holding their own in this game as well. At the break, the Wolverines have a 26-25 edge on the glass over the Cards.
NEGATIVES:
- Michigan got off to a very slow start offensively. The Wolverines missed their first five attempts, and made only one of their first 10 shots. Things didn’t improve much for the rest of the half, as the Wolverines shot an ugly 6-of-30 (20 percent) from the floor in the opening half.
- Compounding the Wolverines shooting woes was another early-season tendency that continues to be a plague: Turnovers. Michigan had five in the first 11 minutes of the game. They have six at the half.
- Isaiah Livers had a dreadful first half for the Wolverines. The junior has just three points on 1-of-8 shooting. Zavier Simpson stuggled as well, finishing the half with one point, zero assists and two turnovers.