Michigan defeated two top-seven teams this week, but I doubt many would say the Wolverines played their best basketball in either game.
For much of the game on Tuesday against Nebraska, Michigan was trailing. The defense clamped down over the last three minutes, holding Nebraska scoreless as the Wolverines rallied to knock the Huskers from the ranks of the unbeaten.
Michigan came out firing against Michigan State. Aday Mara dominated in the first half. The defense was even more dominant, holding the Spartans to just 26 points.
Things changed in the second half. The Spartans caught fire. They erased a 16-point halftime deficit in less than 12 minutes. The Michigan offense was struggling. Against the best 2-point defense in the country, Michigan made just 47 percent of its attempts. Michigan State made 48. The Spartans also had more offensive rebounds, and the same amount of turnovers.
The difference was 3-point shooting. Michigan made eight. The Spartans only made four, which is hard to believe inside the Breslin Center. Michigan's defense deserves all the credit in the world. There were some elite contests, and the Wolverines' length bothered Michigan State.
Michigan has another level to reach
For the first 20 minutes or so, Michigan looked like the No. 1 team. The Wolverines controlled the first half, and the Spartans didn't have an answer. The flipped switch in the second half.
Michigan State is always going to come back. Winning at the Breslin Center is never easy. It takes 40 minutes. Michigan had a lull, but it was good enough, and mentally tough enough to find a way.
That's what championship teams do. Michigan basketball fans should also be encouraged by the fact that as good as the Wolverines were in a massive win, that wasn't their best basketball.
Not even close.