William & Mary kept it tighter than many expected for the first 20 minutes, but Michigan basketball pulled away to a comfortable victory that broke some records that last season's team didn't even accomplish. Every Wolverine got involved, and now they get a week off until they go on the road again for another test with a traditional Big East contender.
3 takeaways from Michigan's win over William & Mary
Michigan's offense exploded for a 36 year record high in points
123 points is the most since 1990. Eight players were in double figures, including all five starters. They beat last year's record of 121 points against Oakland in the opener. Seven Wolverines were in double digits in that one. Michigan's bench outscored the five starters for the Tribe, who made almost as many triples as the Wolverines did and still lost by 40-plus. Marcus Moller was the only Wolverine not in the scoring column.
Michigan's defense forced 24 turnovers
Everybody but two players turned the ball over for the Tribe. In fact, Michigan's transition defense nearly pitched a shutout for the third time in this young gauntlet. The maize and blue outscored the Tribe 28-2 in fastbreak points. Elliot Cadeau dished out 11 assists, and the team grabbed 57 rebounds for its defensive efforts. The previous high was 15.
Michigan's offense scored 75 points in the second half alone
Last year Michigan's offense put up gaudy numbers, but they never put up 75 in one half. They scored 60 against McNeese in the first 20 minutes, but this is a brand new record that was also smashed by Michigan's offensive eruption on Sunday, according to Michigan's X account. The result is Michigan's 40th win in 44 tries. No one in the country has more wins in that time span. Their potential to raise their own ceiling is gaining steam.
Add us as a preferred source on Google