Michigan Basketball: 3 takeaways from the magical win over Houston

Michigan’s cold shooting will eventually cost it

One thing Michigan basketball is known for is good shooting. But so far in the tournament, the Wolverines have struggled to make shots. Against Montana, UM shot 44 percent. The 3-point percentage was only 31 percent and at the free throw line, Michigan shot 66 percent.

Those numbers aren’t terrible, but they aren’t great either. Wagner was 2-of-6. Rahkman finished 3-of-11. Michigan got a bunch of easy buckets against the Griz. But against Houston, that didn’t happen. The Wolverines got a lot of open threes but went just 8-of-30. In two games, they shot 13-of-46 (28 percent) from deep, well below the season average.

Robinson made his first three 3-point attempts, then missed his next four. Rahkman didn’t make any, going 0-of-6 and 4-of-15 for the game. Wagner went 5-of-9, but also missed some key free throws down the stretch. He had a chance at a 4-point play and a 3-point play. However, he was unable to convert both.

Next: Top 15 Michigan quarterbacks of all time

If he had made both, Michigan wouldn’t have needed Poole’s miracle three. Thankfully, it worked out. But next time, against a team like North Carolina, Xavier or Gonzaga, the Wolverines won’t be so lucky.