Michigan Basketball: 3 things we learned from win over Indiana

Poole and Matthews looked like legit NBA prospects

For whatever reason, whether it was long layoffs between games or weak opponents, Michigan started sluggishly against Air Force, Western Michigan and Binghamton.

But that was not the case against Indiana Sunday and two guys were responsible for the hot start were Poole and Matthews. Both players knocked down an early jumper for two and then each connected from 3-point range to give Michigan a 14-9 lead.

The trey by Poole, which put Michigan up five, also sparked a 12-0 run that was capped with this Matthews dunk. At that point, the Wolverines led 23-9.

Throughout the game, both players were outstanding and on both ends. Matthews helped clamp down on Langford, who was 5-of-11 and had 17 points. Poole also aided that effort and did an admirable job facilitating with two assists. Morgan scored 25 but the highly-touted Indiana guys were 14-of-33 total compared to Matthews and Poole who were 15-of-30.

I kept thinking if this Langford guy is a big-time NBA prospect than Poole should be too. I am not saying a top-10 pick or anything but a first-rounder. The sophomore has become the key cog in the offense for Michigan. He can handle the screen and roll and create his own shot at any time.

Matthews can do the same thing and is the other go-to guy along with Ignas Brazdeikis. Yet, Matthews really is the tone setter for this team. He came out hot against Villanova and his steal and dunk against the Hoosiers really seemed to send the message that UM was in control. The bottom line is while Langford and Morgan are studs, Poole and Matthews were better Sunday.