Michigan Basketball: Taming the trapezoid of doom at the RAC

Michigan basketball remains flawless against a rowdy Rutgers bunch that gave the Wolverines all they could handle at the RAC.

Juwan Howard described it best in his postgame interview by saying that win was “grit”.  He’s exactly on point as his squad toughed out another resume strengthening victory for the committee. As everyone knows by now the Scarlet Knights were previously undefeated at home, but all time they are still winless versus the Wolverines. Even without Isaiah Livers, Michigan basketball is turning into one of the teams that no one wants to play this time of year.

Zavier Simpson rallied the troops once more for Michigan’s most significant true road triumph of the year. He paced the maize and blue with a 60 percent shooting effort, including 67 percent from three. The senior captain avoided fouling out in a hostile atmosphere that continually reminded him of his recently made up name, Jeff Jackson, unsuccessfully trying to get under his skin.

At the end of the first half though, Geo Baker seemed to halt Michigan basketball’s momentum that could have sent them sulking into the break. Thereafter, Rutgers went on a 9-0 spurt to open the second twenty minutes. After that initial burst, the Wolverines calmly responded by outscoring Rutgers 32-15 the rest of the way. Well-timed big shot-making and precious stops on the other side got the job done until the clock hit all zeros.

Michigan’s defense was nothing but tremendous, especially in the second half in Wednesday night’s matinée. The Wolverines held the Scarlet Knights to a mere 21 points in the second alone. Rutgers went 3-18 for a freezing cold 17 percent from deep. All in all, Steve Pikiell‘s group shot 35 percent and was totally stymied by the surging defense of Michigan basketball.

Colin Castleton had his most impactful performance in a long time off the bench for Coach Howard. He only played 10 minutes, but really provided that spark when Michigan needed it most. Down nine to begin the second, Castleton’s three-point play started the chase to close the gap. With Brandon Johns in foul trouble at that moment and Austin Davis ineffective, Castleton finally proved he can be relied upon when his number is called after being used so sparingly over the last month or so.

Four straight wins have catapulted Michigan basketball up to the middle of the pack of the Big Ten conference standings. The Wolverines are still in play for a double bye in the tourney with currently being only one win behind a plethora of teams.

It all seemed to be something unattainable about a month ago, but with the way they have turned their fortunes for the better, anything is possible with five meetings left on the regular-season table. Throw in a healthy Livers and as strange as it sounds, a nine loss Michigan school may be the team to beat.