Michigan Basketball: Zak Irvin, Mo Wagner breathe easy in Wisconsin victory
By Adam Renuart
Michigan basketball beat Wisconsin in large part because of the efforts by Zak Irvin and Mo Wagner.
Zak Irvin and Mo Wagner had a few reasons to be tense before Michigan basketball’s game against #11 Wisconsin. The lack of victories against ranked opponents still hung over the Wolverines like a cloud, for one. Yet the senior and the sophomore had personal concerns beyond that.
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Wagner attended a Pistons game the night before, and spoke to Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki. According to ESPN announcer Rece Davis, Dirk told the Wolverine big man that he would be paying attention to Michigan basketball in the coming months. With that blessing and a ranked opponent the next night, it’s safe to say Wagner had pressure going into Thursday’s game.
Zak Irvin was feeling the heat for other reasons. After a steady diet of getting to the bucket and creating shots, the senior’s offense cratered. In the four games prior to Wisconsin, Irvin scored a total of 13 points. It resulted in two losses that would have been mitigated by normal production from the Fishers native.
So it comes as no surprise when both mentioned feelings of relief in their postgame comments. And both pointed to 12:52 mark, with Michigan down four. Wagner came up to set a screen for Irvin with the shot clock winding down. The senior set his man up left, spun right, and launched a deep 3 behind the pick. Said Wagner: “I was so happy, even though he banked it in, I don’t care how, it was a relief, to see he’s back.” Irvin shrugged his shoulders on the way back down the court, and the comeback was on.
It was that sort of night for former Mr. Basketball Indiana. He airballed his first jumper, a bad sign for the streaky shooter. But he didn’t stop shooting, nailing a pull up off an elbow screen. When asked if there was a shot that gave him confidence, Irvin mentioned that elbow area. He smiled: “That’s usually my shot.” Irvin was finally active again, getting to the line and finding teammates. He would finish with 18 points, 5 boards, and 3 assists.
It is, and John Beilein made sure to point that out postgame: “How many times has he made that big shot — where we run action left to right for him and he comes off, the big man is backing off and he’s got to make that shot over a 6’10 guy? He made it again today, and that’s really been part of his calling card when he’s been here.”
Wagner, on the other hand, hasn’t been in a slump. However, there’s a certain pressure that comes from a future Hall of Famer saying he’ll be watching your games. Wagner was out to impress from his first touch. He caught the ball at the top of the key, went behind his back, stepped back behind the arc, and fired. For a million dollar move, it caught nothing but rim.
That didn’t discourage the fiery big man, as he calmly sank a deep 3 on the very next possession. For the next 35 minutes, Wagner played as if Nowitzki was watching in the stands. He would finish with 21 points and 3 rebounds. However, the German was nonchalant postgame. Talking of his performance and Michigan’s postseason chances, he said: “It’s kind of easy when you know you have to win every game.” He added with a hint of a smirk: “Of course, it helps that they’re ranked.”
But it’s hard not for confidence to shine through, both on and off the court. With 1:14 left on the game clock, 10 seconds left on the shot clock, and Michigan only up two possessions, Wagner let a three pointer fly. It hit nothing but water, and suddenly Michigan was up 63-54. Wagner shrugged and smiled: “I wanted to shoot it, it felt good…felt even better when it went in.”
In addition to a confidence boost, Nowitzki might have left a few other impressions on Wagner. The big man headed to the stationary bike to get loose while on the bench. Noted Beilein: “I have no idea why he’s going down there. He must have saw Dirk doing it last night.” Wagner stayed loose enough to ensure Michigan won its first game at against a ranked foe, 64-58.
The two are picking the perfect time to round into form, as Michigan heads to Minnesota, seeking another road win for their resume. Wolverine fans can only hope the pressure is gone, and that Michigan basketball will dunk through the competition like they did Thursday.