Gut reactions: Michigan basketball grinds out a win over Virginia Tech

Michigan basketball didn't play its best on Monday night but the Wolverines did enough to beat Virginia Tech and still cover the spread.

The Wolverines made 10 3-pointers in the win but they also shot 29 percent. It was still better than the 24 percent on the other side from Virginia Tech. The Wolverines were barely over a point-per-possession but did great job on defense which has been the strength of the team.

People might not have expected that but Michigan basketball ranked 17th in defensive points-per-possession coming into the game and held Virginia Tech under 1.0 on Monday. If you do that, you're going to win most of the time. The offense wasn't super sharp and turned it over 14 times.

Roddy Gayle scored 20 points. He was 6-of-13 from the field and made two triples. He was also a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Will Tschetter came off the bench and provided a spark with 10 points, three rebounds, a 3-pointer and a steal.

Tschetter was the second-leading scorer. Tre Donaldson and Nimari Burnett added nine points, while Vlad Goldin finished with eight. Danny Wolf struggled on offense (4 points, five turnovers) but tore down 11 rebounds and dished out four assists.

Only two Virginia Tech scorers reached double figures and as a team, the Hokies assisted on just five of 20 field goals. Virginia Tech had 17 turnovers and 13 offensive rebounds, plus 32 rebounds total compared to 30 for Michigan basketball. It wasn't perfect by any means but here are the gut reactions from the 75-63 win.

Gut reactions from Michigan basketball win over Virginia Tech

• Both teams are solid on defense, but that gym had something to do with the Wolverines and Hokies shooting a combined 38 percent.

• I like that Michigan basketball can win ugly and still cover the spread.

• This team is better than expected defensively. We'll see if that translates to the Big Ten and Virginia Tech is a little challenged offensively, but there are lots of good signs.

• Danny Wolf is struggling on offense but finding ways to help the team win. Still, the turnover rate has to come down.

• Roddy Gayle is going to have a hellvua season is he's knocking down 3-pointers consistently.

• L.J. Cason is dynamic. What a steal from a recruiting perspective.

• Michigan needs to rebound and take care of the ball better. I'm not worried about the shooting, -- more shots will fall on Wednesday against Xavier or South Carolina.

• This wasn't a good win (resume wise) but would have been an ugly loss. Good to avoid that and win by double digits.