Gut reactions: Michigan basketball beats Oregon, stays in Big Ten title hunt

Since the loss to Purdue, a lot has changed for Michigan basketball. For starters, the Wolverines have won three straight games.

All three wins were a grind. There was a four-point win over Penn State, before a three-point win at Rutgers on Saturday. Michigan basketball returned home on Wednesday, against an Oregon team that has eight quad-1 victories and found a way to get another hard-fought 80-76 win.

Down the stretch, Michigan struggled to score, making just one field goal over the last seven minutes or so of game time. Yet, the Wolverines did just enough to win. Whether it was a key bucket from Vlad Goldin or two key free throws after breaking the press from Roddy Gayle, you could feel this game teetering in the last two minutes, but the Wolverines never let it swing in Oregon's direction.

15 Michigan turnovers helped Oregon hang around. Will Tschetter scored 17 points off the bench and made two triples. Vlad Goldin was 6-of-7 from the field for 15 points, and a key bucket late, while Danny Wolf also scored 15, including a highlight-reel trey in the first half.

Both teams shot 50 percent on 2-point attempts, a number that would seemingly favor Oregon. Yet, the Wolverines matched Oregon's 3-point output and won the game at the free throw line where they had a 17-9 advantage. Michigan also shot 10 more attempts.

Both teams shot 43 percent from the field. The Wolverines and Ducks each had 14 assists, but Michigan's size was a factor on both ends and allowed U-M to win the battle in the paint. Oregon had four double-digit scorers but three of them shot below 50 percent.

Michigan might not get credit for style points in this one, but a third-straight win and keeping pace with Michigan State and Purdue in the Big Ten title race is all that matters.

Gut reactions for Michigan basketball vs Oregon

• Michigan basketball still gets too careless with the ball. Turnovers are one thing -- they happen, but many of them are careless and correctable.

• Danny Wolf's step-back 3-pointer was one of the most impressive shots I've seen by a college basketball player all season.

• Vlad Goldin shows up when needed.

• Roddy Gayle has to play better offensively. He shot 20 percent from the field and had three turnovers. Gayle still made two clutch free throws but he has to play better for Michigan basketball to reach its ceiling.

• Will Tschetter scored 17 points in 17 minutes. He's extremely valuable, just like Nimari Burnett. Michigan doesn't win this game without him and that's not the first time I've written that this season.

• The Wolverines are figuring out how to close out games. It's not always pretty but they have won three in a row decided by four points or less.

• That's what you need to win a conference championship.

• Go Blue!