Michigan Basketball: Instant impressions from Wolverines win vs Iowa

Michigan basketball defeated Iowa Friday night in the Wolverines Big Ten opener, despite Luka Garza going off for the Hawkeyes. Here is our reaction.

Heading into the Iowa game, you figured that Michigan basketball head coach Juwan Howard would have a plan for slowing down Hawkeyes big man Luka Garza.

The 6-foot-11 center came into the Big Ten opener averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds, but with Jon Teske and the Wolverines defending him, it seemed like Michigan basketball stood as good a chance as anyone of slowing him down.

Well, as it turns out, Howard and the Wolverines didn’t really have a plan for Garza. They just had a plan for everyone else. And in the end, that, along with an incredible night from the offense, was good enough to get the 103-91 win.

While Garza went off for 44 points, Iowa still shot 48 percent from the field compared to 54 percent for Michigan basketball. That was one difference. Yet, the biggest difference came at the 3-point line, where the Hawkeyes scored only nine points. U-M scored 30 as four guys, Isaiah Livers, Franz Wagner, Eli Brooks and Brandon Johns connected on multiple 3-pointers.

All five Michigan starters scored at least 12 points in addition to Johns who scored 12 off the bench too.

Wagner had 18 points to lead the way for Michigan and that included a 9-of-10 effort from the free throw line as well as an emphatic dunk in the final minute which pushed U-M over the century mark.

Teske also contributed with 16 points, five rebounds and four blocks for the Wolverines. Simpson was also outstanding. The senior point guard finished with 16 points, seven assists, six rebounds and two steals in another masterful performance. He also drilled a big three late that helped put things away.

The win improved Michigan to 8-1 overall and following the 12-point win, here are some instant impressions.

Immediate reactions:

• Franz Wagner looked as comfortable as he has all season. His 3-point shot is still a little rusty, yet his stroke was solid at the free throw line and you can feel a breakout game coming soon, although his team-high 18 points should count.
• Zavier Simpson showed again that he might be the best point guard in the Big Ten. His offense has improved and he scored 16 points. He was 4-of-5 from the field and 6-of-8 at the line. The senior needed to take a big jump offensively this season and he has.
• Brandon Johns had his best game as a Wolverine. The sophomore has continued to improve and his 12-point outing against Iowa showed his vast potential. He showed his athleticism, knocked down two treys and was solid on defense. The depth in the frontcourt was a question mark coming into the season but it’s looking fine right now.
• Michigan’s resume is really impressive. The win over Iowa is the fifth over a top-60 team in the Kenpom rankings so far this season. U-M has defeated North Carolina, Gonzaga, Iowa State, Creighton and now Iowa. Another double-digit win should keep the Wolverines from falling very far in the next set of rankings.
• The offense scored 57 more points than it did against Lousiville and the shooting percentages were all solid. The Wolverines shot 57 percent from deep, 41 percent from three and 85 at the line. That makes it seem like fatigue was a factor Tuesday.
• The defense was a concern. Iowa is an underrated offensive team and Garza is special, but giving up 91 points is worrisome. Yet, 1-0 is 1-0.