3 things we learned from Michigan basketball win vs Michigan State

Michigan basketball rallied for a key win over Michigan State on Saturday night and here are three things we learned in the Wolverines’ win. 

For a good chunk of the game on Saturday night, it felt like Michigan State was in control and that the Wolverines were on the brink of a crushing defeat.

Yet, for one of the few times this season, Michigan basketball was able to execute at key points down the stretch. Kobe Bufkin hit a monster 3-pointer.

Freshman point guard Dug McDaniel, who didn’t have a turnover, had a great pass to Hunter Dickinson for another triple that essentially put the game away.

Tarris Reed was a monster on both ends and once that guy learns how to make free throws, he’s going to be a force. The future is bright though and for more than a couple of Michigan basketball players.

However, there is still a lot of basketball to play in the 2022-23 season, and here are three things we learned about Michigan basketball in its win over Michigan State.

Dug McDaniel is going to be great

It’s been a tough first year on the job for Dug McDaniel. He was always going to play this season but he wasn’t expected to be playing 39 minutes against Michigan State in February.

There have been great moments and some not-so-great moments. That’s life with a freshman point guard. In the long run, though, it’s going to be a good thing for the Michigan basketball program.

Next season, McDaniel is going to be the unquestioned starter and I’d expect to see more performances like Saturday night when he had 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, a steal, and zero turnovers.

Against a Tom Izzo team, in that environment, it was an impressive performance. The light is starting to come on and the string of transfer starting point guards stops with Dug.