Michigan Basketball: 3 takeaways from a contested win over EMU
By Nick Popio
2. Michigan’s defense left a lot to be desired
Giving up 83 points in a basketball game usually means that you don’t win, but that wasn’t the case in this one. Michigan basketball was able to outscore the Eagles and won in crunch time. Meanwhile, the Wolverines’ defense got torched by a gifted offensive squad that is averaging 79 per contest in just two outings in 2022.
Robbie Hummel mentioned throughout the broadcast that Noah Farrakhan was knifing through the defense like swiss cheese. That’s what led to his 19-point outburst mostly coming through the paint. Michigan basketball will have to tighten up against stiffer competitors or they will pay the price by coming up short on the scoreboard.
Michigan’s Sweet 16 streak ends this season. Can’t make 3s, can’t make FTs, can’t play defense. UVA, Kentucky and UNC will destroy them. Looks like an NIT team.
— Pat Batcheller (@patbwdet) November 12, 2022
Emoni Bates won’t be the last quality player that they face in the non-conference part of the schedule. Michigan still has top-five showdowns with Oscar Tshiebwe and Kentucky, Armando Bacot and North Carolina and a ranked Virginia club still to come. Winning these types of games is imperative to get to March no matter how you slice it.