Rapid reaction to Michigan’s 74 – 62 win over Ohio State.
The Moment
On Trey Burke’s special night, the clip of his deep three against Kansas in the Elite Eight played on the jumbotron countless times. In the present day, though, Michigan was ice cold from behind the arc Friday night against the Buckeyes.
But finally, after the Wolverines hadn’t hit a three all half, junior guard Elliot Cadeau nailed two Burke-esque 3-pointers from the left wing well behind the arc to put the Wolverines up 60-51. After a close game all the way through to that point, Michigan had a comfortable lead from which it never looked back.
The Takeaway
Michigan landed itself in a close game by the usual means. The Wolverines were sloppy early, totaling 14 turnovers. Combine that with their 22% from behind the arc, and Michigan was forced to win this game mostly by attacking the rim and getting stops, particularly slowing down two-thirds of Ohio State’s proverbial big three.
Ohio State lives and dies by the play of its starting backcourt: Bruce Thornton and John Mobley Jr. The same rang true Friday night, but oddly, Michigan countered Thornton with relative ease while allowing Mobley to be the primary adversary.
Mobley is typically a 3-point threat for the Buckeyes, but scored from all three levels against the Wolverines. Mobley’s big night came on one of Thornton’s worst. Thornton — who averages 20 points per game and plays nearly every minute — was held in check by Michigan’s regarded defense and by his own volition, foul trouble.
The Wolverines put a lot of pressure on Thornton nearly every time he touched the ball and got the ball out of his hands as much as they could. Mobley’s big night was something Michigan could live with with Thornton only putting up 10 points and two assists on 3-of-11 shooting.
The Star
Driving past Thornton, freshman guard Trey McKenney earned himself a trip to the line with the Wolverines down 36-40. McKenney made both and also handed Thornton his third foul, sending him to the bench.
On a night in which Cadeau was in some foul trouble and graduate guard Nimari Burnett couldn’t find his shot, Michigan’s backup guards and McKenney in particular made up for it.
McKenney put up 12 and was one of the few Wolverines not to turn the ball over. Importantly, he found success driving and cutting to the rim, earning three trips to the line in the second half and burying the Buckeyes further in foul trouble.
The Stat
Four of Ohio State’s starting five were in foul trouble by the under-12 timeout with three apiece. For a team that’s heavily reliant on that group and lacks depth, the Buckeyes were hindered significantly down the stretch by fouls.
Thornton picked up his third with over 16 minutes to go in the second half. Friday was just the third game all season Thornton picked up three or more fouls. The Wolverines also put forward Devin Royal and center Christop Tilly in foul trouble, leading to some extra minutes for their subpar backups.
Four Factors
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