B1G Recap: (17) Iowa 85, (10) Michigan 67

Sometimes in basketball, it just isn’t your day. So was the case for the University of Michigan basketball team on Saturday in Iowa City. After coming off a dominant performance on both ends of the floor against Nebraska, the Wolverines were unable to shake a poor start, and were dominated for 40 minutes by a talented Iowa squad. 

            Iowa, coming off three losses in five games (two at home), was in desperate need of a victory, and played like the hungrier team. Senior Roy Devyn Marble hit two quick three pointers to help Iowa to a 13-4 lead, and they never looked back. The lead would stay at double digits for most of the half, except for a mini-run by Michigan that saw the lead cut to eight, thanks to a Zak Irvin triple. However, Marble hit his sixth three to close the half to give Iowa a 43-29 halftime lead.

            The second half wasn’t much different, as Michigan not only consistently failed to mark shooters in transition, but also inexplicably had numerous defensive breakdowns in its half court sets, allowing open Iowa jump shots all afternoon. The offense was stagnant, as Iowa employed a similar defensive strategy that both Indiana and Nebraska used the prior week, geared to completely shut down Nik Stauskas. Whether he was constantly shadowed and denied the ball, double-teamed off ball screens, or dealing with a collapsing defense upon penetration, Stauskas attempted just six shots, and committed an uncharacteristic four turnovers to zero assists. It seems that whenever Stauskas is allowed to create for his teammates as well as find his own shot, the Wolverines play with more confidence, and don't rely on isolation plays for offense. Unfortunately, with Stauskas taken out of the game on Saturday, that's exactly what happened. Too often the Wolverines would find themselves in a one-on-one situation and unable to create offense, leading to poor shots and turnovers. 

            Michigan was led offensively by Caris LeVert (22 points) and Zak Irvin (19 points). While they were both effective on the offensive end, too many times they were flat-footed on defense. LeVert was solely responsible for containing Marble, and he was often caught out of position in both transition and half-court sets. Michigan seems to have once again regressed defensively, especially in transition. While Irvin wasn’t much better on D, the shooter’s mentality he brings each game is refreshing to see from such a young player. Make or miss, you can count on him to continue shooting with a cool confidence and swagger. Hopefully Glenn Robinson III, who had another off night, can pick up this mentality. His shots from the perimeter weren’t falling, and he was consistently stripped of the ball when he tried to attack the lane. With so much natural talent, it seems as if Robinson III lacks a killer instinct when it comes to scoring the basketball. He needs to show more aggressiveness and confidence in his game if the Wolverines have any shot of not only winning a Big Ten title, but making a run at a second consecutive Final Four.

            Coming off four games in nine days, Michigan plays against a suddenly hot Ohio State team, winners of three in a row. Expect a bounce back game from the Wolverines. Tip is set for 9 PM on Tuesday night in Columbus.