Last week was a pivotal one for the Michigan Wolverines, showcasing both their strengths and areas for improvement. They hit the road to face a formidable Purdue team and emerged victorious, but then stumbled in a neutral-site showdown against No.
3 Duke. Despite the setback, the Wolverines still have their sights set on their ultimate goals.
Here’s what we gleaned from Michigan’s performances:
Michigan Shows Vulnerability
Duke handed Michigan just their second loss of the season. The first came against Wisconsin, where the Badgers drained 15 three-pointers yet only edged out a narrow win. Typically, even when the Wolverines have struggled, they’ve managed to claw back and sometimes secure double-digit victories.
However, Saturday’s game highlighted some lurking concerns. Aday Mara’s early foul trouble, a barrage of offensive rebounds allowed, and a dismal 6-of-25 shooting from beyond the arc led to their worst offensive showing this season. Duke’s top-tier defense deserves credit, but it was the first instance where Michigan seemed truly unable to climb out of a hole.
This serves as a crucial lesson, especially with the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments looming. It’s not time to panic, but the Wolverines must learn from this experience.
Backcourt Consistency is Crucial
Relying solely on points in the paint isn’t enough for Michigan. Mara is a mismatch nightmare and Lendeborg is a defensive challenge, but elite teams will find ways to counter that. Duke did just that with their physical play, catching Michigan off guard.
In such scenarios, the Wolverines need their guards to step up. Against Purdue, Elliot Cadeau led with 17 points, Trey McKenney hit key threes, and L.J.
Cason added 13 points. Together, they contributed 43 of Michigan’s 91 points.
Nimari Burnett has also shown his perimeter prowess this season. When the guards are firing, Michigan’s offense is unstoppable.
But against Duke, Cadeau and McKenney struggled, shooting a combined 2-for-14, Burnett was scoreless, and Cason managed only seven points-all in the first half. With Mara sidelined by fouls, Lendeborg became the sole offensive focus, and once Duke adjusted, Michigan’s offense unraveled.
The disparity in guard performance between the two games underscores the importance of consistent production from this group.
Wolverines Remain a Top Contender
Despite the struggles against Duke, Michigan remained competitive throughout the game-a testament to their resilience. While Duke deserves praise, Michigan fans should take heart in the team’s ability to hang tough against top-tier competition, even on an off night. This matchup was a strategic move by Dusty May, serving as valuable preparation for March.
The Wolverines’ first-half dismantling of Purdue at Mackey Arena showcased their potential at its peak. Even a team as strong as Duke would struggle to keep pace when Michigan is firing on all cylinders.
These flashes of brilliance have sustained the Wolverines this season, even if they didn’t manifest against the Blue Devils. May has some fine-tuning to do, but Michigan remains firmly in the national championship conversation.