Gut reactions to Michigan basketball loss to Arkansas

For the second time this season, Michigan basketball was one bucket away from winning a game it probably should have won anyway.

Michigan basketball had a 13-point lead in the loss to Wake Forest earlier this season. U-M was leading by as much as 15 points on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.

However, in the second half, things fell apart. Arkansas eventually built a 13-point lead, then held off a furious Michigan basketball rally to win 89-87. The Wolverines had the ball twice, in a single-possession game, and turned it over the first time, before not getting a shot off.

I liked the play called by Dusty May. Danny Wolf fired a pass to Roddy Gayle, who backdoor cut to the basket, but he couldn't haul it in cleanly. Eventually, Michigan got a shot off but it fell short.

The turnovers doomed Michigan in the second half. What was worse was that the defense fell apart. You have to love the fight the Wolverines showed at the end. U-M missed a chance to get a quad-1 win. We also saw some of their shortcomings but there is a lot to like about this team. Vlad Goldin was the leading scorer for Michigan with 17 points. He also grabbed nine rebounds. Roddy Gayle and Will Tschetter added 13. Nimari Burnett tacked on 10.

Here are the gut reactions.

Gut reactions to Michigan basketball loss to Arkansas

• The turnovers killed Michigan, especially in the second half. 17 is way too many but the Wolverines haven't found a way to fix it yet.

• The defense collapse was worrisome. Arkansas dominated around the rim.

• Sam Walters and Will Tschetter both provided a spark off the bench but it was going to be hard to play them a lot in this game.

• In Michigan's two losses, they led by 13 and 15. That's how well this team has played.

• Michigan is still working through flaws though, but there is more evidence that this team is capable of winning multiple games in the NCAA tournament.

• Go Blue.