2. Ace Bailey was basically extinguished
The Big Ten's leading scorer was 10 points under his average for the season and 3-15 from the field. In comparison, he netted four field goals in last week's loss to Michigan State and still scored 18. He's only been in single digits once in 22 outings and that came in a loss to Wisconsin. Michigan's defense can be proud of doing what only one other team has done to Bailey all year. Bailey is in line for freshman of the year in what will likely be a one and done tenure at Rutgers.
Coach May said in the postgame presser that his defenders took a "calculated risk" by doubling Bailey seemingly every time he touched the ball. It worked. Bailey did have a posturizing dunk on Danny Wolf that energized the crowd late in the first. Roddy Gayle, Nimari Burnett, Rubin Jones, and Wolf all took turns defending the phenom.
The Scarlet Knights sorrowful shooting was mostly to blame for their woes on Saturday. They shot 21 more times than Michigan basketball did. They attempted more triples than their overall shooting percentage for the contest. Fellow five-star frosh Dylan Harper was missing and could have been the difference between winning and losing.
Michigan defeats Ace Bailey and Rutgers in a close game. Michigan struggled offensively but they were able to effectively shut down Ace Bailey who shot just 3/15 from the field and 0-7 from deep.
— ILL Channing (@ILLChanning) February 1, 2025
Vlad Golden & Danny Wolf: The pair of 7 footers combined for 29pts and 20reb,…
Jeremiah Williams didn't return to the hardwood after he got dinged up in the first 20 minutes. He was the lone starter to go scoreless for Rutgers.