Michigan Basketball: 3 Takeaways from Wolverines loss to Maryland

Michigan basketball never really hit on all cylinders Sunday, especially on defense and here are three takeaways from the loss to Maryland.

When it comes down to it, Maryland had a lot more to play for Sunday than Michigan basketball did. Of course, that shouldn’t be a factor but after missing out on chances to share the Big Ten title in the past, the Terps were determined and they played like it.

The Wolverines didn’t play poorly but Franz Wagner getting two fouls quickly and then getting pulled hurt as Maryland built a 13-point lead in the first half.

In the second, with Wagner back in the lineup and David DeJulius going off, Michigan basketball crept back within four. But too often, the Wolverines just traded buckets and the Terp shot 56 percent from the field in what ended up as an 83-70 win to tie for first in the Big Ten.

Here are the immediate takeaways for Michigan basketball:

DeJulius needs more minutes

On Sunday, DeJulius was one of the few reasons Michigan was still in the game late. He knocked down three 3-pointers, was 5-of-9 from the field and 5-of-5 from the free throw line. He only played 19 minutes and he shot more free throws than any other Wolverine.

DeJulius has taken a step forward this season and he averages around seven points a game despite not playing as much as he probably should. He can attack the basket, hit the three and he’s a weapon in the screen-and-roll.

It may not have made a difference, but this felt like a game where he should have been given more minutes and if so, maybe the Wolverines would have actually had a chance.

The quick pull for fouls is back

In the first half, Wagner picked up his second foul before the second tv timeout and Howard decided to sit him for an extended period of time. In the second half, he helped keep the Wolverines in the game, but it seemed like he may have been able to do that in the first half if Howard chose to ride it out.

Certainly, it makes sense two sit a guy with two fouls. But once the score reached double figures and Maryland started pulling away, it felt like a good time to risk it, especially in a game that didn’t mean much except as a resume-builder for U-M.

Loss doesn’t change Michigan’s outlook

As far as the Big Ten tournament and the NCAA tournament are concerned, this loss to Maryland basically means nothing. The Wolverines were locked into the 8-9 game with Rutgers, either way, Thursday in Indy and Michigan basketball is assured of making the field of 68.

A win, plus another win or two at the Big Ten tournament could have pushed Michigan up in the seeding line and now, if the Wolverines lose Thursday, that will be in four defeats in five games, which could see them get dropped down to a seven or eight.

But still, it wasn’t a season-defining loss. The attention now turns to beating Rutgers for the third time.