Michigan Basketball: 3 takeaways from hard fought loss to Purdue

3. The defensive breakdowns are becoming troublesome

Time and time again in the second half Jaden Ivey got too deep into Michigan’s defense and got easy baskets. He took over the game for Matt Painter’s crew and Michigan couldn’t stop his penetration. His 23 points led the Boilermakers and decimated a struggling Michigan defense to pieces.

On a positive note for the Wolverines, Purdue only hit five threes in the win. They looked like they were finding their stroke in the first half and were going to bury at lot more of them. When that happens they are one of the most difficult clubs to guard in the league with Sasha Stefanovic as their best shooter. Michigan was able to hold him to 1-3 from deep and a tepid nine points.

Purdue also held an 11-3 advantage on the offensive glass which made the defense have to work that much harder and expend much more energy.

Purdue won the battle of the boards overall 32-22. Edey and Williams nabbed half of the rebounds for the Boilermakers by themselves. The trio will have to be accounted for more properly in the rematch on Thursday evening.