Gut reactions to another collapse for Michigan basketball

It seems like every game is a new rock bottom for Michigan basketball and that feels especally true after blowing a 15-point lead against the second-worst team in the Big Ten.

Michigan basketball is the worst team in the conference and that was reinforced in the second half on Saturday. When the game was on the line, Rutgers put together a 12-0 run. Michigan basketball answered with two straight turnovers and it was game over.

At the 17:00 minute mark, after a 3-point play by Olivier Nkamhoua, the Wolverines were up 47-32. It felt like they were going to end their losing skid and get just their second win in 10 games.

But, Michigan fell apart. They scored just 19 points the rest of the way and scored just two points in the final. You aren't going to win basketball games that way. U-M hit six 3-pointers in the first half and then made just one in the second half.

Rutgers shot 40 percent, made two triples, and won the game by double digits after being down by nine at half. That's ugly no matter how you slice it. Rutgers forced 18 turnovers. They also had 12 offensive boards and a 36-29 rebounding advantage overall. Nkamhoua led Michigan with 14 points. Tarris Reed had 12 points and 15 rebounds but took just eight shots. Terrance Williams and Nimari Burnett went a combined 1-for-11 from 3-point range and here are the gut reactions from another rough loss.

Gut reactions for Michigan basketball loss

• The Wolverines are the worst team in the Big Ten. It's not debatable.

• This is the definition of playing out the string.

• Tarris Reed played well. But he needed more touches down the stretch.

• I'm not sure how Juwan Howard comes back from this, but I thought the same thing at times about Jim Harbaugh in 2020.

• Coaching matters but this is the worst roster in the Big Ten. Juwan shoulders much of that blame too, but the athletic department hasn't done him any favors.

• I've never wanted a Michigan basketball season to end this quickly. Just put us all out of our misery. Please.

• Still, Go Blue!