Michigan Basketball: 3 takeaways from key win over Maryland

Michigan basketball earned its 23rd win of the season Saturday against Maryland and here are three takeaways for the Wolverines.

If Michigan basketball was going to win the Big Ten Championship, it needed to beat Maryland Saturday and in a must-win game, the Wolverines responded with a 21-6 start.

However, the offense grew cold late in the first half and stayed that way for much of the second half as Maryland climbed within three points with 10:26 left in the game. Yet, that was as close as Michigan basketball would let the Terrapins get as UM eventually pulled away for a 65-52 win.

After the Wolverines raced out to 21 points in what seemed like just a matter of minutes, the offense ran into many of the same old problems. At one point in the game, Michigan was 5-of-20 from 3-point range.

The Wolverines finished shooting 42 percent and scored 65 points, neither of which are great numbers. However, when you hold your opponent to 52 points and just 36 percent from the field, you can win scoring in the mid-’60s.

Charles Matthews had another strong outing and hit 7-of-12 shots to finish with 14 points. He also helped set the tone early with a pair of slam dunks. But late in the game, it was Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske that saved the day.

After Maryland got within two, Jordan Poole scored a driving layup and then Simpson hit from three. It ended a cold streak for Michigan basketball and moments later, Ignas Brazdeikis hit from deep, answering a Maryland 3-pointer and UM led by eight.

With five minutes left, Maryland was still within six when Teske, aided by Simpson scored seven straight for Michigan. The first two were finishes around the basket. Matthews assisted on the first and Simpson did the same on the second with an incredible dish. He also assisted on a Teske 3-pointer that gave the Wolverines a 57-46 lead with 3:16 to go.

A hook shot and two free throws by Simpson helped put away the huge win for Michigan, which kept the Wolverines in first place in the Big Ten at 12-3. Maryland fell two games back at 10-5.

In addiiton to Matthew’s 14, Simpson finished with 12 points, eight assists, five rebounds, two steals and just one turnover. Iggy also added 13 points and five boards. A big key was slowing down Bruno Fernando for Maryland, who had just 12 points and eight rebounds. He had notched 12 double-doubles in his last 14 games.

All in all, it was a huge win for the Wolverines and looking ahead to a grueling five-game stretch to close Big Ten play, here are three takeaways.