The Michigan Wolverines clinched a share of the Big Ten regular season title last night, but the journey there was anything but straightforward. Facing a Minnesota team that came in as 22-point underdogs with only six healthy players, the Wolverines found themselves in a surprisingly tight contest at Crisler Center.
The Wolverines appeared fatigued, likely still feeling the effects of their intense matchup on Saturday. This weariness was evident in a game that felt disjointed and scrappy. Minnesota's decision to stick to a zone defense forced Michigan to rely heavily on their three-point shooting, which was inconsistent at best.
Yax, who might have been under the weather, struggled offensively, taking just three shots and making one. Meanwhile, veterans Burnett and Gayle had a night to forget, combining for six turnovers and looking out of sync on the court. Even Johnson, typically a reliable scorer, managed only six points.
Coach Dusty turned to his bench in the second half, seeking a spark from fresher legs. Cadeau, known for bouncing back after tough games, delivered with a solid 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Cason continued his upward trajectory, adding 14 points, while McKenney had an unpredictable night, hitting some threes but also missing badly, finishing with 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting.
Despite the uneven performance, Michigan pulled away to secure a 10-point victory. However, this kind of effort won't suffice against tougher opponents like those in Champaign or Iowa City, especially with the Big Ten tournament in Chicago looming.
In brighter news, Saturday's showdown between Michigan and Duke drew over 4 million viewers, marking the most-watched day of college basketball in ESPN's history. This speaks volumes about the excitement surrounding the Wolverines this season, but they'll need to regroup and refocus to maintain their championship aspirations.