Gut reactions to more of the same for Michigan basketball

The Michigan basketball season keeps going from bad to worse. U-M was a favorite against Minnesota and had a seven-point lead in the second half.

But once again, Michigan was unable to execute down the stretch. The defense was bad and despite getting multiple chances on the final possession, to tie or take the lead, when Dug McDaniel's game-tying attempt went awry, the Wolverines fell to 6-8 on the season and 1-2 in the Big Ten.

McDaniel had another rough outing. He shot below 40 percent for the fifth time in sixth games after making just 3-of-11 shots. He had just nine points. Nimari Burnett led the Wolverines with 17, while Tarris Reed had 11. Olivier Nkamhoua managed 16 points but missed a wide-open 3-pointer to give Michigan the lead with just 10 seconds left.

Minnesota had five players score in double figures. They also made 10 3-pointers. Mike Mitchell buried four 3-balls and scored 18 points. Elijah Hawkins hit four times from downtown too, while also dishing out seven assists.

It's another black eye for Juwan Howard and the Wolverines. You have to wonder when this team will win another game and here are the gut reactions.

Gut reactions to Michigan basketball loss to Minnesota

• Dug McDaniel has to regain his early-season form or this team is going to struggle to win Big Ten games. His game has fallen off a cliff on the offensive end.

• There's no excuse for the defense being that bad. Michigan was in a must-win game and Minnesota is one of the worst teams in the Big Ten, ranking much lower than U-M in the Kenpom rankings. Yet, the Wolverines allowed 40 second-half points and a bunch of essentially open 3s. It was hard to watch. There was zero urgency until way too late.

• This looks like a first-day team at the Big Ten tournament and that's shocking.

• Will Tschetter needs to play more but what else is new?

• This team is incapable of winning close games. It could have 10 wins if it could execute down the stretch and that is why the results are so frustrating.

• I'm not sure how this gets better.

• Go Blue.