Michigan Basketball: 3 takeaways from a debilitating defeat

Michigan basketball is on a three-game skid at home and last night was another setback in a quickly fading season.

An instant classic broke out at Crisler Arena in front of a raucous crowd Tuesday night. It turned out to be like a boxing match with each fighter going back and forth. Ohio State’s biggest lead was nine in the first, but Michigan basketball promptly fought back in it to keep things tight for the remainder of the contest.

Kaleb Wesson was a nuisance in the middle for the hated Buckeyes. He ended the affair with a double-double as the Buckeyes won their third straight. He got flanked by Duane Washington, who came up with big contested shots in 31 minutes of play off the bench. His 50 percent shooting from the field was really clutch in the most opportune moments.

Michigan basketball’s defense performed admirably again on an evening where not much else went right. The Wolverines managed five blocks and outrebounded the Buckeyes. Unfortunately when it mattered most though, Michigan couldn’t get the job done and it cost them a devastating home loss.

Zavier Simpson put in a team high in points, but that seems to be a bad omen for the Wolverines when that happens. In four of the last five losses Simpson has been the leading scorer, but the Wolverines have lost. In Saturday’s win over Rutgers he had 10 assists. Opposing squads know they can upend Michigan by making Simpson have to score to beat them. It takes away from him distributing to make others around him make plays.