It was a defensive slugfest.
This certainly wasn’t a normal Michigan offensive output in this one. Both defenses were ruling the day with both squads having to tough it out just to get a hoop. It felt like the uncomfortable sensation of pulling teeth out of your mouth just to put a deuce on the board. Both clubs were scrapping for points all night long.
For the record, both hovered around 40% from the floor and even less from downtown. Scoring 51 points means you usually lose the matchup every time out, but not in this case. Michigan’s offense could never get going and that is because of how nasty the UCLA defense was.
For a Michigan basketball fan, things couldn’t have gone any worse.
Final: UCLA 51 Michigan 49.
— HUGE (@Hugeshow) March 31, 2021
Wolverines played enough defense to win but their offense was brutal tonight. 34 total points from the starting 5. Great season and strong run in the tournament. With that said this was a loss to a team Michigan should’ve beat.
Dickinson was the lone Wolverine to make a dent in the scoring column against that ruthless Bruin defense. Mike Smith and Wagner had horrendous performances especially when coach Howard needed them the most.
Both had an opportunity to win it for the maize and blue, but both failed in trying as that truly summed up their respective nights.