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Gut reactions to an embarrassing loss for Michigan Basketball

By Chris Peterson

Dec 29, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard reacts during the first half against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard reacts during the first half against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s hard to describe Michigan basketball as any other than an embarrassment after a loss to Central Michigan as a 21-point favorite.

Nobody expected the Michigan basketball season to go like this and few expected Central Michigan to beat the Wolverines on Thursday night.

The Chippewas were 21-point underdogs. They have one of the worst offenses in college hoops and didn’t have their leading scorer. Central Michigan had just two Division-1 wins this season, as well as a 4-8 overall record before beating Michigan.

And still, they left Ann Arbor with a 63-61 victory over the Wolverines in a rock-bottom loss for the Michigan basketball program.

Central Michigan shot just 41 percent from the field and 21 percent from 3-point range, yet still won on the road against a team that was supposed to contend for the Big Ten title.

The Chippewas grabbed 14 offensive boards compared to 11 for the Wolverines and held a 40-29 advantage on the boards which is really hard to imagine. U-M shot 35 percent from the field and made just 6-of-22 3-pointers. Hunter Dickinson went 3-of-9 for 13 points.

Nobody in the starting lineup made better than 50 percent of their field goals and the effort or lack of it was probably the biggest problem.

This was ugly and here are some gut reactions to the kind of loss that knocks this team off the bubble until it can prove it can play consistent hoops.

Gut reactions to Michigan’s loss to Central Michigan

  • Michigan basketball has struggled against three MAC teams. That’s a problem.
  • This team plays up to its opponent and down to them.
  • The lack of effort was infuriating.
  • Central Michigan has no business outrebounding Michigan.
  • It also had no business winning this game.
  • Do we need to put Hunter’s face on a milk carton? He’s disappeared.
  • We need to stop talking about the NCAA tournament.
  • The shot selection/execution down the stretch was terrible again. That’s been a three of every close loss this season.
  • Point guard play is important and Michigan missed in the portal and hasn’t been able to develop/keep anyone. David DeJulius and Frankie Collins would help this team a lot.
  • Juwan Howard has been to back-to-back Sweet 16s, let’s not talk about the hot seat but this program needs to turn it around quickly.
  • John Beilein had some down years too. Just don’t forget that.
  • The season isn’t over. But it is on the brink.
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