Michigan Basketball: Key takeaways from bounce-back win over Maryland

Michigan basketball rebounded from its first loss of the season with a second blowout win over Maryland and here are the three takeaways. 

The Michigan basketball team suffered an ugly loss against Minnesota last Saturday, but with the way the Wolverines dominated Maryland that loss feels like a one-off performance.

Michigan was so dominant in this game, Maryland didn’t lead — once. Not 2-0, never. Franz Wagner scored the first bucket, then Mike Smith knocked down three consecutive 3-pointers and it was off to the races.

By the time Isaiah Livers hit two 3-pointers of his own, the game was essentially over and you could tell it was going to be another rout.

The win improves Michigan basketball to 7-1 the Big Ten (12-1 overall) and gives it another top-50 win according to Kenpom. Here are three quick takeaways.

Ball movement doomed Maryland

The game plan for Maryland was clear and it was basically the same as Minnesota’s. The idea was to double aggressively on Dickinson and force the Wolverines to make shots. Unfortunately, for the Terps, that strategy backfired spectacularly.

Livers went 4-for-5 from beyond the arc and Smith added a pair of 3-pointers. As a team, the Wolverines knocked down 12 and shot 52 percent.

That’s because even though Dickinson only scored three points, he only had one turnover and did a much better job of passing out of the double team. That led to open looks and Michigan got hot.

Six different guys made 3-pointers and three, Chaundee Brown included, hit at least two.

It was exactly what the Wolverines needed and more importantly, down the road, it might give teams pause about doubling Dickinson because U-M can make people pay.

Dickinson didn’t score much but still played well

It would be easy to look at Dickinson’s stat line and ask, what’s wrong? But truth be told, he just took what the defense gave him and the Wolverines were better for it.

Yes, the freshman only scored three points but he only took three shots. He grabbed six rebounds, block three shots and even though he was credited with one assist, he was the reason Michigan had numerous open looks from three.

It does seem like teams are figuring out ways to defend Dickinson a little better, but if Michigan keeps shooting well from beyond the arc, defenses will have to pick their poison.

Wagner, Livers and Smith respond

None of those three played well on the offensive end against Minnesota. Smith didn’t score and Wagner didn’t score until the second half.

But tonight, those three guys set the tone. Wagner scored 15 points and hit 5-of-9 shots from the field. He was physical, attacked close outs really well and my goodness, his defense was spectacular.

Late in the game, Wagner backed down his defender and simply buried a fade-away jumper. There literally is no defending that.

Livers was equally good and he shot 80 percent from deep. He plays his role so perfectly and the most impressive thing about Livers, Wagner and Smith was that the trio scored 46 points on 27 shots. They also had three turnovers among them, which is just one reason U-M dominated.

Maryland actually made as many 2-point shots as Michigan did, which is an area of the game the Wolverines have dominated, but it didn’t matter and if the Wolverines shoot as well as they did Tuesday night, few teams stand a chance of beating them.