Michigan Basketball: 3 takeaways from demoralizing UNC loss
By Nick Popio
Michigan basketball went to Chapel Hill for the yearly ACC/Big Ten challenge this time around and completely collapsed in the second half to fall by 21 to the Tar Heels.
It took a couple of minutes into this one until North Carolina could finally make a basket. Michigan basketball, on the other hand, had five turnovers before the Wolverines could even get to the first media timeout.
Once both settled in though, Moussa Diabate proved to everyone that coach Howard made the right choice to start him over Brandon Johns.
Things went back and forth for most of the first half until Michigan basketball climbed to its biggest lead of the night at five.
UNC then went on an 11-4 run to end the first period and took a 29-27 advantage going into the rest time. That would be about the closest that Michigan came within for the remainder of the evening.
In the final 20 minutes Carolina got off to a fast start. Michigan was stuck on 11 points in the first 10 minutes after the break, they fell behind 56-38 as a result.
The Tar Heels opened up that sizable lead with a 12-3 spurt and got too far ahead for the Wolverines to spring a comeback. During that span Caleb Love heated up with eight consecutive points, which forged him to a team-high of 22 points on the night.
The most frustrating thing about this team right now is that there is SO much untapped potential and talent. Have to find a way to put it all together.
— Maize n Brew (@MaizenBrew) December 2, 2021
When all was said and done UNC cruised to a 72-51 win and handed Michigan its third loss in seven games. The Wolverines are now tied for last place in the Big Ten with Rutgers and Penn State.
The Wolverines return to Crisler on Saturday to square off with San Diego State, who will be licking their chops in preparation for an, all of a sudden winnable road upset.
Here are three takeaways from the loss to North Carolina.