Moe Wagner leads Michigan Basketball to signature win over Spartans

After a heartbreaking loss to Purdue, Moe Wagner scored 27 points and refused to let Michigan basketball lose to Michigan State.

Michigan basketball faced the monumental task of beating Michigan State on the road Saturday. After losing to No. 5 Purdue 70-69 Wednesday, it was essentially a must-win game in terms of the Big Ten race.

Well, as he has done throughout his career, Moe Wagner played his best when it mattered most. He dominated on both ends of the floor, when he wasn’t sitting out due to foul trouble, scoring 27 points and leading Michigan basketball to a signature 82-72 win over the fourth-ranked Spartans.

The junior from Germany reminded everyone why he had NBA scouts drooling last season. He made 8-of-13 shots from the field and was 8-of-8 from the free throw line. He also had two blocks, four rebounds and played really well defensively.

Wagner got things started early for the Wolverines, as Michigan State left him open on two screen-and-rolls and he hit twice from 3-point range. He also threw down a dunk that seemed to make an early statement as UM grabbed an 18-16 lead.

Unfortunately, he had to sit the final few minutes of the first half due to fouls. And that allowed the Spartans to take a 37-34 lead into the break.

It didn’t take long for Michigan basketball to grab the lead in the second half. And they did it mostly behind the stellar offensive play of Wagner and Zavier Simpson, who scored 16 points and dished out five assists, including this sweet pass to Isaiah Livers for a dunk.

With Michigan State leading 55-54, Wagner’s third trey of the game put the Wolverines in front 57-55. Michigan wouldn’t trail again.

Then, Wagner scored his two most impressive buckets of the game to help give UM some distance. The first was the fadeaway shown above. The other was the spinning layup that literally dropped my jaw. It was the cherry on top of an upset win.

In terms of the big picture, the victory was gigantic for Michigan. Had the Wolverines scored one more bucket Wednesday, they would have back-to-back wins over top-5 teams. But as it stands, they still have a marquee win, on the road, against a true national title contender.

The win also ties Michigan with Michigan State for third in the Big Ten. Ohio State and Purdue are both unbeaten. But at least the Wolverines are still within striking distance. They also get a chance at Purdue on the road, which will be tough, but you have to steal a win or two like that to win a conference title.

The most important thing is that the Wolverines greatly improved their NCAA Tournament resume, while at the same time cementing themselves as contenders in the conference.

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We will have more to come on this huge win for Michigan basketball. Yet for now, sit back and revel in another incredible performance by Wagner and what could be a season-defining win for the Wolverines.