Michigan Basketball: Gut reactions from season-defining win over Purdue

Michigan basketball needed a defining win and on Thursday night, the Wolverines got one, blowing out third-ranked Purdue in a huge step towards the NCAA tournament. 

All season long we have been waiting for Michigan basketball to put it all together. There were signs against Indiana and San Diego State, but nothing like what we saw Thursday.

Facing the third-ranked Purdue Boilermakers for the second time in less than a week, Michigan basketball looked like a different team from the opening tip. There was nothing sluggish like in recent wins over Nebraska and Penn State.

The Wolverines were engaged on both ends of the floor and an early blocked shot by Hunter Dickinson seemed to set the tone, as well as two first-half 3-pointers that helped Michigan build a nine-point lead at the break.

However, it wasn’t just Dickinson. Caleb Houstan, Moussa Diabate, Eli Brooks, and DeVante Jones all played as well as they have all year.

Each starter scored in double figures and as a team, the Wolverines knocked down 12-of-21 triples with Dickinson, Houstan, and Brooks all connecting on four each.

Jones shot the ball fewer times than anyone in the starting lineup, which is a good indicator. He dished out 10 assists and turned it over just twice. Dickinson scored 22 points, had nine rebounds (up from two on Saturday), and blocked two shots.

The defense was on point and that came from everyone on the floor, although the catalyst seemed to be Eli Brooks in the second half against Penn State.

This team hasn’t been the same since and hopefully, it won’t be. Here are the gut reactions from a massive, massive win for the Wolverines.

Gut reactions

• That might have been Eli Brooks’ finest hour.
• Moussa and Caleb showed are starting to grow up.
• The offense runs through Hunter but it was one of his best all-around games.
• Does anyone still think Juwan can’t coach?
• The effort was championship level.
• Brandon Johns has a pulse. Can someone check Terrance Williams?
• Purdue really can’t handle the press.
• Getting Edey in foul trouble changed everything.
• A few more games like this and Michigan might be off of the bubble.
• There is a lot of work to do though, starting Saturday.
• Beat Ohio State.
• Go Blue.