Michigan Basketball: Howard’s troops outlast Iowa State in Bahamas brawl

The Michigan basketball team gained another resume building win with constant answers to Iowa State’s never give up attitude.

In contest number one of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament Michigan basketball took down a game Iowa State squad that wouldn’t go away easily. Juwan Howard’s club was down early after a tenacious get off from the Cyclones, but battled back to hold the lead for the rest of the affair. The surprise of the day though was the return of Franz Wagner from injury.

Wagner eventually fouled out, but connected from beyond the arc twice in three attempts. He looked relatively loose for seeing his first action of the 2019 season. Jon Teske was also in foul trouble and missed a large portion of this one because of it. One of Teske’s backups, Austin Davis, even contributed some valuable minutes in the first half as a result.

After things got situated in the early going Michigan controlled a gritty Iowa State unit. Zavier Simpson spearheaded the assault with 13 assists. Isaiah Livers notched 17 to stay on course with his average thru five games. Both were an integral part in paving the way for the unbeaten Wolverines.

Shooting wise, Michigan shot a sultry 60% from the field. They also boasted 48% from the three-point line. Unfortunately, the stat that stands out is the 22 turnovers. Simpson had eight alone. As a team, they are averaging 12 an outing, which is something they will have to clean up fast with North Carolina most likely on deck.

David DeJulius continues to show a lot of promise. He along with Colin Castleton were the two reserves who scored in double digits. With Wagner now in the starting lineup, it makes the bench deeper and the club more dangerous as a whole. They will need to play at an even higher level though, with the Tar Heels coming in as the tournament favorite.

Tyrese Haliburton was a thorn in Michigan’s side for the Cyclones. He picked up 25 points and nine boards on the afternoon. He’s a sure-fire NBA prospect who could help his group go on a run come March. If UNC does take care of Alabama as expected, then the maize and blue will matchup with Cole Anthony. He’s a top five NBA draft talent who might be the best player they see for the rest of the year.

Assuming the Tar Heels beat Alabama, then Michigan will definitely have its work cut out for them. It would mean clashing with a top ten program at least twice in a week depending upon what happens with the rest of the bracket.

The ACC/Big Ten matchup with presumably number one Louisville looms large on December 3, but before that a showdown with Gonzaga, Oregon or Seton Hall will happen this Friday to finish up the Battle 4 Atlantis trip. Regardless, it is something that the Wolverines knew what they signed up for by heading into this loaded tournament field.