Michigan Basketball: 3 takeaways from a gratifying win over Ohio State

Michigan basketball needed to keep the momentum from Thursday’s road win going and they did as they dispatched the Buckeyes at home.

The Wolverines drilled back-to-back threes to kick off the contest. They got ahead by 11, but Ohio State battled throughout the first half to keep things tight at halftime.

Michigan basketball extended its lead to double figures in the second and won it by eight over their bitter nemesis. The loss puts the Buckeyes in a tie for second to last place in the Big Ten and gives them an overall losing record for the time being.

Here are the three takeaways.

1. Hunter Dickinson exploited the Buckeyes inside

Zed Key and Felix Okpara had a long day guarding Dickinson in the post. He outworked the duo for another double-double and surpassed the 1,400-point mark for his illustrious career. For the record, he was 50% from the floor and was the catalyst with a game-high 26 points. Bruce Thornton had 22 in the losing effort for the Bucks.

Okpara really had the harder time matching up with him. At one point Dickinson scored six straight on him and Key had to re-enter the contest. Ohio State has now lost nine out of 10 because of problems like this. They have spiraled out of control and are in danger of missing the postseason completely.

Chris Holtmann is on the hot seat, especially with some of the moves he made on Sunday trying to provide a spark for the Buckeyes. He didn’t start Brice Sensabaugh, arguably their top player, and benched Zed Key to begin the second half.

Those are mistakes that can cost you a job and a chance at landing Bronny James and adding to an already elite recruiting class.