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Michigan Basketball: 3 things we learned from loss to Penn State

By Chris Peterson

ANN ARBOR, MI - JANUARY 22: Lamar Stevens #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions drives the ball to the basket as Eli Brooks #55 of the Michigan Wolverines defends during the second half of the game at Crisler Center on January 22, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Penn State defeated Michigan 72-63. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - JANUARY 22: Lamar Stevens #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions drives the ball to the basket as Eli Brooks #55 of the Michigan Wolverines defends during the second half of the game at Crisler Center on January 22, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Penn State defeated Michigan 72-63. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Michigan basketball should be in full crisis mode after a bad loss at home to Penn State. Here’s what we learned about the Wolverines.

Penn State is a really solid team and there is no shame in losing to the Nittany Lions. Yet, the way Michigan basketball laid an egg in what amounted to a critical game, was downright disturbing and puts their ability to make the NCAA tournament in question.

That may seem a bit strong, seeing that Isaiah Livers is supposed to return soon from injury, but if this team doesn’t start to save this sinking ship, Michigan basketball will quickly find itself playing in the NIT, instead of March Madness.

Frankly, the Wolverines downward spiral has me thinking back to the 1996-97 season when Michigan basketball notched a key win early in the year over Arizona and moved up all the way to No. 4 in the polls.

But then, U-M lost six of its last eight Big Ten games to finish 9-9 and out of the NCAA’s. The Wolverines did go on to win the NIT Championship in a season that was ultimately cleared from the books, however, it seems relevant now after Michigan beat Gonzaga, UNC and Iowa State to move up to No. 4.

Now, after a 72-63 loss to Penn State, Michigan, which sits at 2-5 in the Big Ten, seems to be headed down a similar path and the top 25 should be the farthest things from anyone’s mind.

This team has work to do to make the big dance and here’s what we learned from a costly home loss.

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