Michigan Basketball: 3 takeaways from agitating loss to Illinois

2. DeVante’ Jones carried the load for the lackluster offense

Michigan basketball’s defensive effort was noticeably better against a top 25 squad that averages 80 per contest. However, the offense did not do its part. Jones was the only scorer in double digits. He bounced back nicely from the doughnut that he produced in Michigan’s last time out on the hardwood in Piscataway.

Caleb Houstan struggled mightily again. He has not been as advertised in his brief career at Michigan. The five-star out of Canada can’t put it all together like many thought he would without much hesitation coming into the season. Perhaps coming off the bench, instead of starting, might do him some good.

Zeb Jackson has been nowhere to be found for most of the year. He is currently on personal leave from the team. Kobe Bufkin had a quality outing off the pine. He and Jace Howard will continue to garner minutes especially if they keep playing above their own standards.

As far as Eli Brooks is concerned, he needs to be the leader and refocus this group that is inexplicably wasting major talent.