Gut reactions: Michigan Basketball has life after dominant win over Maryland

Michigan basketball needed a win on Sunday against Maryland and the Wolverines got one, in dominating fashion. Here are the gut reactions. 

Wolverines fans needed a pick-me-up and Michigan basketball delivered its best performance of the season in a dominating win 81-46 over Maryland.

After the worst loss of the season and actually the worst loss of the Juwan Howard era, you wondered how Michigan basketball was going to respond.

The response was exactly what was needed to turn the season around. Michigan roared out of the gates with the first 17 points. Eight of those points were from Hunter Dickinson, who went 8-for-9 in the first half and finished with 32 points and 12 rebounds.

Simply put, when considering the defensive effort, it was one of Dickinson’s best games as he made 13-of-16 shots, grabbed 12 boards, dished out three assists, and blocked a shot.

Terrance Williams helped set the tone with an early 3-pointer and Kobe Bufkin was just stellar on both ends of the floor. He created and scored while playing really good defense.

The Wolverines mixed up some of their looks, however, it looked like they just played a lot harder. Michigan wasn’t beaten to loose balls, it dominated the boards, and it was active.

Maryland’s 13 first-half points were the fewest ever allowed by a Michigan basketball team. The Terps had four field goals at the break (4-for-30) and it made you wonder why this team hasn’t played like this all season?

Sometimes, a wake-up call is needed and with 12-13 Big Ten wins needed, it wasn’t hyperbole to say this was a must-win. Michigan delivered and here are the gut reactions.

Gut reactions to Michigan basketball win over Maryland

• IF Hunter Dickinson plays like that the rest of the year, Michigan basketball is going to make the NCAA tournament.
• Kobe Bufkin is becoming a star before our eyes.
• This was one of the best team defensive efforts of the Howard era. Maryland shot 26 percent and this team is a top-30 NET win.
• It’s technically a quadrant-1 win, except for the fact Michigan dominated so much, Maryland might drop. Still, it’s the best win on the resume.
• Juwan can still coach (some of you forgot).
• Dug is still growing but it was a step in the right direction.
• This team rarely loses when T-Will plays well.
• Michigan very much has a pulse.
• It still needs to prove it can be consistent but as we saw in close losses, it can play with anyone. It can also lose to anyone.
• Can’t wait for Wednesday
• Go Blue!