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

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

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 Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Defenses have him figured out

While it’s not all his fault, Zavier Simpson is being forced to do too much right now and his 23 shot attempts last night reflected that.

Simpson is one of Michigan basketball’s best players. The other day he was one of 15 players named as a Naismith Award, but the formula for the Wolverines to win games isn’t Simpson shooting the ball 23 times.

Simpson had six assists but also six turnovers and in a game that required the senior point guard to be at his best, he just wasn’t and to be fair, neither was Jon Teske, Franz Wagner or Eli Brooks. None of them showed up and for the core group of the team to play that way in such an important game is disappointing.

Livers coming back will solve problems. However, it’s not going to change the fact that defenses know if they can make Simpson be the scorer, Michigan can easily be defeated. Livers makes it harder to do that because his shot-making ability is better than anyone else on the team.

Outside of David DeJulius, the Wolverines don’t have a guy who can go get a quick bucket when needed and it’s becoming a huge problem.

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