Michigan Basketball: Gut reactions, highlights from win over Ohio

Michigan basketball needed overtime to beat Ohio and while it was ugly, the Wolverines found a way. Here are the highlights and gut reactions. 

Michigan basketball barely escaped with a win against Ohio on Sunday night and frankly, the Wolverines were fortunate to do so.

Ohio got a good shot up on the last possession after a turnover and the Bobcats fouled Kobe Bufkin who made two free throws to put Michigan up two.

Then, Ohio threw a baseball pass that bounced off the backboard and into the hands of Dwight Wilson who sent the game to overtime tied at 63-63 before Michigan was finally able to salt away the 70-66 win.

It felt like it going to be a long night in the first half as the defense was poor and the Bobcats came out firing. Hunter Dickinson gave Michigan basketball the lead with a scoring flurry before the end of the first half to put the Wolverines in front 33-31.

Back-to-back triples from Terrance Williams and Jaelin Llewellyn put Michigan in front 41-35 and it felt like some separation was coming. Yet, Ohio went on an 18-6 run and the Wolverines suddenly found themselves trailing by six points at home.

The score was about the same with just a few minutes left when some timely shots from Jett Howard, some key offensive rebounds, and just enough stops forced overtime.

Howard hit another 3-ball in overtime, right after a shot by Dickinson and Michigan did enough to hold on, even though it wasn’t pretty.

Dickinson scored 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds but missed a few easy buckets down the stretch that could have extended the lead. Jett Howard finished with 13 while Llewellyn had 10.

Here are the gut reactions.

Gut reactions from Michigan basketball win over Ohio

• The ball-screen defense is a huge liability. It was especially bad in the first half.
• Llewellyn and Kobe Bufkin were 6-of-21 from the floor. They made 3-of-12 from 3-point range which was a slight improvement but is just 25 percent. That’s just not good enough.
• Michigan is already facing teams daring its guards to shoot.
• Terrance Williams didn’t shoot well but his effort on the glass (three offensive boards, eight total) was huge as were both of his triples.
• The free throw shooting (12-of-20) was bad and it nearly cost Michigan a win.
• Llewellyn’s play is a real concern. His defense hasn’t been great, he’s not shooting the ball well and feels like a liability at both ends. Transferring up isn’t a guarantee.
• The lack of urgency after an embarrassing loss was bad.
• A win is better than a loss, but this is three lackluster efforts in four games.
• Depth is really thin and the rotation will be short in Big Ten play.
• Hopefully, these are just growing pains.
• Go Blue!