ANN ARBOR – Michigan will eventually lose a game.
Definitely.
Probably.
There hasn’t been a perfect season in men’s college basketball in over 40 years, and in the rugged Big Ten, the Wolverines are bound to slip up at some point.
Now, however, the Wolverines seem invincible.
The last showing was Tuesday’s 77-54 victory over No. 9 Wisconsin. Like several of Michigan’s recent victories, this one was far more uneven than the already unbalanced score suggests. Michigan led by up to 40 points.
The game followed a script similar to the Minnesota and Northwestern explosions in Michigan last week.
If winning three consecutive ranked teams by at least 19 points looks like some kind of record, ESPN says Michigan is indeed the first team to do so.
“Wow,” said Michigan coach Juwan Howard after hearing that nugget. “I hope our boys don’t get too stoned about it.”
As good as Michigan (11-0, 6-0) is playing, Howard knows it means little. Several times this season, including Tuesday, he mentioned his desire to be the last team standing in April.
The goals of the Wolverines’ championship seem achievable thanks to its focus on the daily routine.
Michigan’s motto this week was “don’t get bored with the basics”, a quote Howard borrowed from Kobe Bryant.
Changes were a problem for the Wolverines. They committed just eight against Wisconsin, their lowest rate in the Big Ten game. They split the ball – four different Wolverines tried between 9 and 11 kicks and scored double digits – and turned simple plays into highlights.
Michigan’s dismantling of the Badgers (and Gophers and Wildcats before that) went beyond the basics.
Michigan made 9 of 16 3s on Tuesday, with six players connecting from a distance. The Wolverines blocked five shots in the first nine minutes and ended with eight rejections, their duration once again bothering the opponent.
A three-point lead at the end of the first half went to 17 in the break. A 22-0 streak at the start of the second half was a disaster.
Michigan has a killer instinct, and sophomore striker Franz Wagner gave credit to coaches for instilling that mindset. “We keep playing our game, no matter if we’re losing, up one or 25”.
Howard said he could hear the players in the locker room reminding each other not to give up, to treat the game as if they were tied. “They are holding each other accountable,” said Howard.
Great races cannot happen without stopping, and Michigan forced the Badgers into their worst offensive performance of the season. Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said Michigan put the Badgers on their heels.
Michigan senior striker Isaiah Livers, who scored 13 on Tuesday, saw Michigan’s defensive potential during the summer during friendlies. “I’m trying to get a chance and I can’t,” he recalled.
The Badgers fired just 31 percent. Five of his nine finals hit 3s and four of his six free-throw attempts came in the final 10 minutes, after Michigan increased his lead to 40 points.
After the victory, Michigan moved up to third place in the NCAA NET ranking, behind only the undefeated Gonzaga and Baylor.
Howard was pleased with how tough Michigan played on Tuesday, but he still sees areas for improvement. He will earn his salary by drawing up this list before the next workout.