Michigan Basketball: Grading Wolverines win against Indiana

Handing out grades for Michigan basketball’s win on the road at Indiana on Sunday, which improved the Wolverines to 18-1. 

After just dismantling Iowa in the second half on Thursday night, Michigan basketball had to play a noon game less than two days later, on the road against Indiana.

The Hoosiers were just 12-11 coming in, but still had hopes of making the NCAA tournament and there is no better way than to upset a team like Michigan.

Yet, the Wolverines, even though they didn’t play their best, just methodically wore down the Hoosiers. Franz Wagner couldn’t be stopped, Isaiah Livers was money from deep and the Wolverines defense just suffocated the Hoosiers.

It was a ho-hum performance and what we’ve come to expect from this group, which is now one win away from clinching the Big Ten championship.

Here are the grades for Indiana, starting with the Franz and the wings.

Franz Wagner: A

I loved Wagner’s mindset on Saturday. He knew he had a mismatch and repeatedly attacked the basket, earning eight free throws, all of which he made. He was 6-for-9 from the field, grabbed six boards and three steals. The lone blemish was the 1-of-4 mark from deep and really he missed two pretty good looks that could have gotten him close to 30. In the last two games, Wagner has looked more like a first-round pick than ever.

Isaiah Livers: A

There isn’t a better 3-point shooter in the Big Ten than Isaiah Livers, who made four more 3-balls against Indiana, the same number he made Thursday against Iowa. Livers had at least three shots from deep in six of his last eight games. He’s also made 10 of his last 18 shots from beyond the arc. With Dickinson inside and Wagner’s ability to score all over, it’s almost not fair to have a shooter/scorer as good as Livers, who is essentially the No. 3 option. His defense is sound and his leadership is off the charts. Like Franz, Livers will be in the NBA next season.

Chaundee Brown: C-

The Michigan bench didn’t have a productive day against Indiana, scoring just three points. Brown scored those three points yet was 1-of-7 from the field and 1-of-6 from beyond the arc. His usage rate was 25 percent, which is way too high, especially if you end up with only three points. His plus-minus was actually negative and that’s true for every bench guy. I’m not worried about it though. Brown was solid on defense as he always is and the shot will come.