Michigan basketball wasn't ready to play on Wednesday night against Northwestern, and it nearly cost the Wolverines a two-game cushion in the Big Ten standings.
In the middle of the second half, Northwestern was leading 58-42. Things were looking bleak before the Wolverines went on a 41-13 run. Michigan basketball made 11 consecutive field goals at one point, and 15 out of 16 down the stretch.
As poor as the start was, the finish was equally as good.
Northwestern had a great game plan. We predicted that the Wildcats would be pesky and cover the spread. They were ranked 68th in the Kenpom rankings for a reason.
The Wolverines couldn't buy a bucket from 3-point range, and with the way Northwestern was selling out to double Aday Mara and protect the rim, it really stymied the Michigan basketball offense.
At one point, Northwestern had an 11-0 advantage on fast break points. It didn't end that way, but this game was going exactly the way Northwestern wanted for 30 minutes.
The offense wasn't great. It was good enough, though. Michigan hit eight 3-pointers, shot 55 percent on 2-point attempts, owned the paint, and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds. The Wolverines had a 38-25 edge total on the glass.
Michigan turned the ball over too much, missed too many free throws, and played sloppy basketball. That won't fly in the Big Ten. L.J. Cason scored 18 off the bench. Yaxel Lendeborg had 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Morez Johnson pitched in with 12 points and nine boards.
It wasn't perfect, but it was a double-digit win on the road against a quad-2, nearly a quad-1 opponent. Here are the gut reactions from the 87-75 win.
Gut reactions to Michigan basketball win over Northwestern
Slow starts at a concern: After getting a gift with losses by Illinois and Nebraska last night, to grab a two-game lead in the loss column, Michigan nearly gave that gift right back. It didn't in the end, but it feels like these slow starts are a little too common. Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Northwestern all got the jump on the Wolverines early. Oregon had a first-half lead, too. Teams are getting up for Michigan, but it feels like this team is playing down to the competion at times, which is dangerous.
The best bench in college basketball strikes again: Cason and Trey McKenney provided a huge spark in the second. Cason led Michigan in scoring. He also changed the game with his on-ball pressure and his ability to get to the bucket. McKenney's triple gave the Wolverines the lead. When it was over, the tandem combined for 30 points, six rebounds, three assists, and five steals. When people talk about the upside of the Michigan bench, this is what they mean. It's the best bench in college hoops.
Aday Mara was up and down: Mara can be the best player on the floor. Other times, he can be a liability. Teams can get to him with pressure. Most of the time, he handles it well. He eventually did on Wednesday with seven assists. There were some rough moments, such as a double-dribble. However, his rebounding and rim protection were vital. It can be ugly at times, but Mara's size, passing, and interior presence are still a difference maker.
Nick Martinelli stymied: Imagine if Northwestern's best player didn't shoot 5-for-22? That's how Martinelli finished. He scored 18 points, but it's never great if you have more shots than points. Michigan basketball made him work for everything. When the Wildcats needed buckets down the stretch, they couldn't find one.
Firm control: If Michigan basketball beats UCLA on Saturday, it will have a two-game lead in the Big Ten race with five games left. An outright championship isn't guaranteed, but the Wolverines are in a great spot to win at least a share of the championship if not the entire thing outright.
Beat UCLA and they would need to finish 2-3 to miss out on at least a share of the conference title.