GBMWolverine
Fansided

Gut reactions to another rough loss for Michigan basketball

By Chris Peterson

Michigan guard Dug McDaniel makes a jump shot against Indiana guard Gabe Cupps during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023.
Michigan guard Dug McDaniel makes a jump shot against Indiana guard Gabe Cupps during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. /
facebooktwitterreddit

Michigan basketball dropped another one-possession game on Tuesday night and here are the gut reactions for the Wolverines.

The season has gone off the rails quickly for Michigan basketball. This team looked so good on its way to a 3-0 start.

But Long Beach State ruined all that and Michigan baskeball hasn’t recovered. There was a buzzer-beating loss on Saturday. This time was just as painful as Michigan missed a bunch of free throws down the stretch including three by Dug McDaniel in the last few minutes.

Michigan also missed a key chance at a rebound on the final IU possession and didn’t even get a shot attempt up on the final play of the game after a turnover on the inbounds pass.

McDaniel also struggled from the floor — making just 3-of-14 shots from the field and none from beyond the arc. Michigan basketball made just four 3-pointers. Indiana only made three but attempted just nine.

Indiana made more 2-point attempts and shot a higher percentage on those shots. They also won the turnover battle, although they gave the ball away 13 times. It was another frustrating loss and at 4-5, the wheels are coming off quickly for the Wolverines.

Here are the gut reactions

Gut reactions to Michigan basketball loss to Indiana

  • Indiana dominated most statistical parts of the game. The Hoosiers had the advantage in rebounds, turnovers, field-goal percentage, and everything but free throw percentage.
  • Yet, the Wolverines missed some critical free throws down the stretch.
  • You hope this Michigan basketball team learns how to win soon because it’s going to get Juwan run out of town at some point.
  • Will Tschetter needs more minutes. He continues to be spectacular scoring the ball.
  • The missed defensive rebound on the last possession killed me.
  • Still can’t do the little things.
  • Not only did Michigan miss two free throws, but it missed the most important free throws of the game. If Dug hits both of those with under 40 seconds, it’s a tie game.
  • Michigan has to figure out how to win close games.
  • If the Wolverines don’t win at Iowa, it will be hard to recover and make the NCAA tournament after dropping to 4-6 and 0-2 in the Big Ten.
  • That being said, it’s hard to have any answers right now. This team is searching for them after having lost five of the last six games — a streak U-M has to hope it stops on Sunday.
Home/Michigan Basketball