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Michigan Basketball Releases Pitbull, Beats Wisconsin

By Tyler Fenwick

Feb 16, 2017; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Moritz Wagner (13) celebrates after making a three point basket in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2017; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Moritz Wagner (13) celebrates after making a three point basket in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan basketball just beat Wisconsin for the biggest win of the Wolverines’ season. Plus, Zak Irvin got himself back on track against the Badgers.

It finally happened. Michigan basketball got its big win, and Zak Irvin bounced back for what had to be one of the most gratifying games in his basketball career.

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The Wolverines lost to Wisconsin by four earlier this season in a game that looked promising with about six minutes to play. This time around, Michigan didn’t let that lead slip away, and now it has what can probably be considered the biggest win of this season.

The story of the game was Zak Irvin coming back from the dead for 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting. He also had five rebounds and three assists. His first-half performance was not promising, but he came through in the latter 20 minutes and helped burry Wisconsin. There really is no understating how big this was for Irvin, who was coming off an awful four-game stretch.

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Irvin mentioned immediately after the game that he got over the mental block by telling himself that every shot was going to go in. Near the end, it seemed like that was true. His presence in the offense is going to be needed moving forward.

Leading the way for the Wolverines was Moritz Wagner, who had 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Watching him go to battle with Ethan Happ for most of the night was a lot of fun. Wagner drilled a 3-poimter with 1:09 to play to give Michigan a nine-point lead; it was essentially the dagger.

Michigan is now pretty much guarding a spot in the NCAA tournament. If the Wolverines just do what they’re supposed to for the rest of the season, it looks like a tournament berth is likely. Still, this season has taught us to be conservative with our expectations following big performances.

This was not a great game for Derrick Walton Jr., who was on an incredible stretch going into Thursday night. He finished with only five points on 1-of-8 shooting. Walton was not a dud though, as he did have eight assists.

D.J. Wilson also only finished with three points.

An adjustment that may have saved this game for Michigan was the decision to double-team Ethan Happ in the second half. That dramatically curbed his production, and he eventually fouled out.

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Michigan’s next outing will come on Sunday on the road against Wisconsin.

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