Michigan Basketball: 3 takeaways from the comeback win over UCLA

Matthews took over late for Michigan basketball

When the Wolverines were down by 15 points six minutes into the second half, the prospect of a victory looked bleak. It’s at those times, when your best players need to step forward and that’s exactly what Matthews did for Michigan.

The transfer for Kentucky proved again that he is one of UM’s best players, scoring 16 of his 20 points in the last eight minutes of regulation and overtime. When the offense was struggling, Matthews repeatedly found his way to the basket. And in the extra session, he made a 3-pointer and a clutch jumper that helped ice the win.

Of course, Matthews was just 2-of-10 from the free throw line. While he certainly wasn’t the only Michigan player to struggle at the charity stripe, if he wants to be an All-Big Ten performer, he needs to do a better job there.

As a team, Michigan shot just 36 percent, 8-of-22, from the line. The comeback was great and Matthews proved he can be the man, but if he and the rest of the team had made their free throws, the win could have been much less dramatic. Just saying.