Michigan Basketball: 3 things we learned from a huge win at MSG

Michigan basketball got Zavier Simpson back in the lineup Saturday and the Wolverines also got their mojo back in a win over ranked Rutgers at MSG.

Just days ago, Michigan basketball had its back up against the wall. The Wolverines were 2-6 in the Big Ten and 11-8 overall. They were also squarely on the bubble after ranking as high as No. 4 in the AP poll earlier in the year.

It has been a tale of two seasons for Michigan — the hot start — followed by the swoon, which only got worse with the injury and re-aggravation of that injury to Isaiah Livers.

Livers didn’t play Saturday against Rutgers at Madison Square Garden, but Michigan basketball didn’t need him. Instead, the Wolverines got their floor general back in Zavier Simpson and the talent around him flourished in a 69-63 win.

Instead of taking 20 shots, Simpson took five. But he scored nine points, dished out 10 assists, grabbed four rebounds, had three steals and led Michigan to a huge victory despite six turnovers.

He was able to do that because others around him elevated their game, as they did against Nebraska when he wasn’t on the floor. Guys like Brandon Johns and Franz Wagner continued to show they can be more than just role players.

In the past two games, both Johns and Wagner have looked like the NBA-level prospects Michigan basketball people believe they can be and with the win over Rutgers, this season seems to have a new life.

Here’s what we learned.