Michigan Basketball: Charles Matthews buzzer beater saves Wolverines

Michigan basketball survived against Minnesota thanks to a game-winning shot by Charles Matthews. But it was a sloppy effort overall.

After losing to Wisconsin last Saturday, you expected Michigan basketball to come out with a vengeance against Minnesota Tuesday night at the Crisler Center.

Yet, that’s not what happened. The Wolverines trailed by as many as nine points at one point and needed a last-second bucket from Charles Matthews to beat the Golden Gophers 59-57.

However, Matthews game-winning shot was only needed because Michigan basketball blew a 13-point lead following a scoring drought that lasted nearly five minutes. While UM went ice cold, Minnesota caught fire and evened the game after a 10-0 run and a 3-pointer with just over 30 seconds to go.

Head coach John Beilein drew up a play for Ignas Brazdeikis who drove to the basket with just seconds left but missed a shot attempt. The ball got tipped around and Matthews collected it, shot it and drained it right before the clock expired. The buzzer beater allowed Michigan basketball to avoid suffering consecutive losses for the first time since Jan. 2017.

While Matthews shot won the game, for a while it looked like Michigan might not have a chance. After falling behind by nine points early (18-9), the Wolverines tied the game at 26-26, before trailing at the half 31-28 to the Gophers.

But just as Minnesota started the game hot, it opened the second half on fire too and after a 6-2 run to open the half, Minnesota was back up seven. That’s when Brazdeikis finally got things going.

First, he connected on a 3-pointer and then converted a three-play point getting Michigan within one. And then, a hook shot by Zavier Simpson finally gave the Wolverines the lead. A steal and score on the next play put UM up by four, 44-40.

Eventually, the lead would get as big as 13 points, before the Gophers stormed back. But in the end, Michigan got a little luck and Matthews was able to take advantage of it. At the same time though, the Wolverines need to play better.

Jon Teske had another strong night, scoring 15 points on 6-of-7 shots from the field, as well as five rebounds and three blocks. Iggy finished with 18 but was 4-of-18 from the field. Simpson added six and had seven. Combined, they were 6-of-19 from the field.

Michigan also helped its cause in the second half by limiting Minnesota to 26 second-half points, despite the late rally. The Wolverines also forced them into 16 turnovers and held the Gophers to just 33 percent beyond the arc, while also attempting eight more free throws and making four more than Minnesota.

All in all, a win is a win. However, if Michigan really wants to contend in the Big Ten conference, it has to be better than it was Tuesday night when it needed a clutch shot to save a win vs Minnesota.