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Gut reactions to Michigan Basketball’s NIT win over Toldeo

By Chris Peterson

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - MARCH 14: Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines attempts a shot over J.T. Shumate #32 of the Toledo Rockets during the first half an NIT college basketball first round game at Crisler Arena on March 14, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - MARCH 14: Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines attempts a shot over J.T. Shumate #32 of the Toledo Rockets during the first half an NIT college basketball first round game at Crisler Arena on March 14, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /
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Michigan basketball notched a win in the first round of the NIT and the Wolverines are now just two wins from Vegas. Here are the gut reactions. 

The scouting report for Toledo was that the Rockets can score about as well as anyone in college hoops and Michigan basketball found out that was true in the first half.

However, Michigan basketball is pretty darn good on the offensive end of the floor too and the Wolverines scored 50 points in the second half to earn a 10-point win and a trip to the second round of the 32-team tournament.

Kobe Bufkin and Hunter Dickinson combined for 42 points in the win. They were 16-of-29 from the field but Joey Baker was huge in the win. He made five triples for the Wolverines and also hit 8-of-11 shots.

Dug McDaniel also had a really good night, adding eight assists to 16 points. It was good to see some young guys get some run too and remember, this Michigan team was able to win a few games against good teams without Jett Howard and they can win this NIT without him too.

Here are the gut reactions to a 10-point win for Michigan basketball over Toledo:

Gut reactions from Michigan basketball win

  • Joey Baker was off the charts. That was one of his best games as a Wolverine.
  • Hunter Dickinson played well too and looked like he wanted to be there. Toldeo was going to force the ball out of his hands but he made good decisions.
  • Kobe turned the ball over too much in the first half. He also played like a first-rounder most of the way. His defense impressed me in the second half.
  • I don’t know what to make of the Jett stuff. Let’s just lay off the kid.
  • I totally buy that he was possibly playing through pain late in the season. I’m sure if it was an NCAA tournament game he would try harder to play but I don’t have any problems with him shutting it down, which I don’t know if he will for the other games.
  • It was good to see Youssef Khayat. I want Michigan to win the NIT, but I’d also like to see him get more playing time.
  • The ESPN Broadcast said Joey Baker could try to get another year of eligibility with a waiver for his freshman season. I was harsh on him — probably too harsh — but with an offseason in Camp Sanderson — he might make a bigger impact. I wouldn’t be against it.
  • This was a good first step. I hope this team makes it to Vegas.
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