Michigan Basketball: 3 things we learned in Wolverines win vs Montana

The 2018 tournament Matthews returns

Whatever it is, Matthews loves playing in the NCAA tournament. Last year, Matthews helped carry a sluggish Michigan basketball team past Montana thanks to 20 points and sparked a run where he averaged 15 on the way to the national championship game.

Thursday night, Matthews came out with a purpose and attacked the basket like he hasn’t since early in the season. Of course, the Wolverines size advantage inside helped, but there was no settling for jumpers Thursday.

At the start of the year, Michigan would open games running its offense through Matthews, either by letting him drive or post up and that led to a lot of success. Then, Matthews play trailed off and he went through a bit of an offensive slump, then hurt his ankle and missed three games.

The redshirt junior wasn’t great at the Big Ten tournament, but he seems to have found his legs. Not only was he able to explode to the hoop for some impressive finishes, but he also hit a long two as well as a big-time trey that helped put the game on ice.

Those shots weren’t falling in Chicago and for weeks really, Matthews hasn’t quite been himself but if the Wolverines are going to win Saturday and keep winning, he needs to be. In fact, no player is a better gauge for Michigan than Matthews, who has led UM to a 21-1 record in games where he scores at least 17 points.