[jwplayer llP8Q1fz-D3ux87Cq]
No. 5 Michigan returned home off their 71-62 loss at Illinois on Wednesday into a Top 10 nonconference matchup with No. 10 Oregon.
The Ducks (7-2) come in having already faced four Top 25 opponents, with wins over Seton Hall and Memphis and losses to Gonzaga and North Carolina. The Wolverines (8-2, 1-1 Big Ten) defeated the Zags and Tar Heels in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament.
Michigan got off to an extremely slow start, scoring just 9 points in the first 12 minutes. Oregon built as lead as high as 16 points, before the Wolverines closed to within 31-23 by halftime.
NEGATIVES:
- Michigan’s shooting woes against Illinois carried over in spades for this game, as the Wolverines opened the game 3-of-17 from the floor and 1-of-8 from the three-point line in the opening 12 minutes. Those numbers improved slightly by the end of the half, but could have come up even more had the Wolverines not missed three dunks down the stretch. Michigan is up to 24 percent (7-of-29) from the floor, but the Wolverines will need to shoot the ball much better in the second half to make a comeback.
- On the other end, Oregon is having no such struggles offensively. The Ducks shot 12-of-26 (46 percent) overall and 5-of-10 from deep. Michigan has contested shots decently well, but Oregon is finding ways to make tough shots fall.
- The Ducks employed a three-quarter court press in the first half, and it seems to take the Wolverines out of their rhythm offensively. Michigan turned the ball over 5 times in the first half, and the pressure may have contributed to the shooting woes as well.
POSITIVES:
- The Wolverines desperately needed a spark offensively, and they got one off the bench in the form of sophomore David DeJulius. The second-year guard scored 12 points in the first half on 4-of-7 shooting, including 2-of-5 from three-point range. DeJulius carried the Wolverines in that first half.
- Michigan played pesky defense in the first half, despite of the Ducks’ solid shooting percentage. The Wolverines forced 9 turnovers in the first half, which is really what allowed them to stay in the game. Michigan scored 7 points off those giveaways. The Wolverines will need to keep up the pressure in the second half.
Despite the extraordinarily ugly start, the Wolverines have gritted their way into just a 8-point deficit. Michigan is within striking distance as the second half begins.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1362]