Michigan Basketball: Wesson, Washington lead Ohio State over Wolverines
Ohio State and Michigan basketball had a close one that went right down to the wire, but it was the Buckeyes post play and bench contributions that ultimately brought them the victory.
Ohio State walked into Crisler Center in a similar situation as Michigan basketball. Long runs without wins and some unexpected losses. Neither team near the top of the Big Ten standings are barley considered each week when the rankings come out despite significant victories early on.
The Buckeyes began the season with wins over 10th ranked Villanova, the Big Ten’s punching bag North Carolina, and a 106-74 domination of Penn State. But in their last nine games, six were defeats.
Michigan was riding a two-game win streak, the last being on the big stage as a ‘home game’ at Madison Square Garden.
That streak ended at the hands of their southern rivals.
Stats
Kaleb Wesson made his presence known early and often spending most of the first half outscoring the entire Michigan squad. He ended shooting 50% from three and was undefendable as the referees refused to call even the simplest of fouls.
Missing DJ Carton due to personal reasons, the rest of the Buckeyes knew someone needed to step up, and Duane Washington Jr was that man tonight. His 14 bench points played a major role in Michigan’s demise.
For the Wolverines, their struggles from beyond the arc continued, and it was even more apparent when, with just seconds left, Eli Brooks missed an open three that would have tied the contest and surely sent it into overtime. Isaiah Livers‘ absence for yet another game also didn’t help.
Austin Davis surprised even the Buckeyes with his second-half performance that led to his season-high 11 points. He didn’t attempt a three, but he was 4-4 from the field.
Another major contributor was Brandon Johns Jr; however, foul trouble sent him to the bench and cooled off his shot.
In the end, Michigan’s inability to hit open looks and Kaleb Wesson’s domination sealed the UM’s fate, and they now fall farther down the Big Ten standings as a result.