Michigan Basketball: Putting Purdue into submission status

Michigan Basketball went into one of the toughest places to win at in the Big Ten and for the second consecutive outing came out victorious.

Michigan basketball’s defense put on a show in West Lafayette on Saturday afternoon. The Wolverines imposed their will to force Purdue into offensive ineptitude. For the day Purdue shot a woeful 25 percent from three. Much of their production came late during garbage time when the outcome had already been settled. In the end Purdue’s percentage was actually a hair better from the field than Michigan’s, by one percent.

The maize and blue turned it over just three times compared to Purdue’s 12. They were sound with the ball in their hands while passing the rock around throughout. Time and time again it finished with easy points in the paint. Jon Teske even notched his first double-digit performance since the Rutgers win at MSG. His confidence may finally start growing as he continues to battle out of a recent slump.

Trevion Williams torched Michigan’s inside attack in the first affair. Today he got a double-double coming off the bench. He and Sasha Stefanovic were the only ones to make enough of an impact on the scoring side of things. Matt Painter’s club didn’t have the right mindset that they needed to show up and get a must have for their postseason chances. Former Boilermaker, Robbie Hummel, preached it to a steady degree as the broadcast elapsed.

Eli Brooks suffered an apparent facial injury about midway through the contest. He didn’t return to the court and more will be known on him as the week progresses. David DeJulius filled in for him and did his part admirably. As for Isaiah Livers, he delivered a perfect 8-8 from the charity stripe in meaningful minutes for the far too often injured superstar.

Franz Wagner is blossoming right before are very eyes. Mo’s little brother is getting it done on both ends of the court. When Michigan basketball is at its whole, is when the entire unit is cohesive on the defensive side, setting up the offense for success like it did today. Seven steals forged the path to 17 assists for the half-court offense that took advantage of a sloppy effort by Purdue’s defense.

Juwan Howard’s crew gets to enjoy four days of downtime before they host the Badgers at Crisler on Thursday evening. It sits nicely in the schedule as everyone can get healed up and ready for the most important month on the calendar to begin. Two of the most stern tests to date remain on the docket with revenge on Michigan’s mind when facing the hated Buckeyes in a week’s time. Then seven days later, the Wolverines travel to Maryland to square off with the potential Big Ten regular season champion.