Michigan Basketball: Defense lets down again in loss to Iowa

Michigan basketball dropped yet another game on the road Friday night in Iowa, thanks to a defense that continues to be among the Big Ten’s worst.

Iowa City has always been a house of horrors for Michigan basketball and with the way the Wolverines are playing defense, it was again Friday night.

Iowa’s offense, which is one of the best and most efficient in the country, dominated the Wolverines through their Big Ten battle and most importantly, down the stretch in a 90-83 win for the Hawkeyes, one that could send Michigan basketball out of the top 25.

What’s worse is that the Wolverines are now 2-4 in Big Ten play and still winless on the road this season. Iowa also represented another chance to win down the stretch, but like last Sunday in Minnesota or earlier in the season at Illinois, the offense and defense couldn’t execute late.

It’s hard to blame an offense that got 25 points from Eli Brooks and 11 3-point field goals in all. The Wolverines also shot 50 percent from the field. However, Iowa made 56 percent of its shots from beyond the arc and was 27-of-30 at the free throw line compared to 4-of-5 for U-M.

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There was good reason to complain about the officiating and Juwan Howard did, getting a technical foul for the second time in three games on the road. He did the same at Michigan State.

That still doesn’t change the fact that Michigan basketball is reeling. Despite more double teams, Luka Garza still scored 33 points and connected on 10-of-18 field goal attempts. Michigan was also outrebounded 38-25, although it at least won the turnover battle, forcing 15, while giving the ball up just eight times.

Still, foul trouble was a huge detriment and so were missed shots down the stretch. Like the Minnesota loss, Michigan just didn’t make enough buckets late to win the game. Neither defense was dominant and the Wolverines played well, considering they are shorthanded, but it doesn’t change the fact that basketball is about makes and misses.

And once again, Michigan just didn’t make enough shots down the stretch. Brooks made five 3’s in the loss. Franz Wagner added 18 points and Jon Teske had 14 along with seven assists.

The Wolverines who are now 11-6 overall, will host Penn State Wednesday and Illinois next Saturday in what are must-win games.