Three weeks ago Marquette beat Michigan State in a preseason tuneup game. Tuesday night Michigan State sleighed Duke in the Champions Classic. On Wednesday, Michigan basketball handled Marquette with a strong second-half push.
Marquette's Nigel James Jr. was held scoreless for the second time in his career, which also came against a Big Ten foe. Michigan's defense only let one of Marquette's starters score more than double figures, and here are three takeaways from an 84-70 win.
Three takeaways from Michigan's win over Marquette
JP Estrella is off to a blistering start
The Tennessee transfer is averaging 17 points and 10.5 rebounds per night. Entering Thursday, he's 10th in the country in field goal percentage and has only turned the ball over three times so far. He's everything that Dusty May envisioned him being when he plucked him out of the portal. His play should remind many of how well Aday Mara started his maize and blue tenure. Estrella isn't on the NBA's radar yet, but neither was Mara either.
Michigan's starters outscored Marquette's by 34 points
66-32 was the final tally. Marquette's starters were 5-for-31 from the floor, besides Adrien Stevens. 65 of Michigan's points came from Estrella, Elliot Cadeau, Trey McKenney and Quinn Costello. They almost outscored the Golden Eagles by themselves. Cadeau added 10 assists, while Moustapha Thiam is getting healthier and solved the rebound dilemma that has been a nagging concern for some.
Michigan's transition defense is only allowing just under five points a game
In game one, against the Golden Grizzlies, Michigan's transition defense did not surrender a single point. On Wednesday, Marquette managed just two points. Going into Sunday's midday meeting with William & Mary, the Tribe have scored more points than all three of their opponents on the schedule so far by winning the fast-break portion of the game inside the game. Suffice it to say they have not played the caliber of a Michigan team yet. That stat should change drastically come Sunday afternoon in Crisler.
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