For the second consecutive game, Michigan basketball never lost and here are the main results of the victory over Purdue.
There were a lot of impressive things about Michigan’s 70-53 basketball victory over Purdue on Friday night, but perhaps the fact that the Wolverines were never far behind at the top of the list.
For those who are watching at home, it is two consecutive Big Ten games in which Michigan basketball did not lose for a second, although there was a drop in performance, as UM allowed the Boilermakers to tie the game early.
However, a 7-0 run quickly allowed the Wolverines to take control, and although Hunter Dickinson was human again, Michigan basketball rolled.
Here are the main conclusions.
Livers must be the Big Ten of the First Team
Going into this confrontation, I said that Michigan would need Isaiah Livers or Franz Wagner to play very well and Livers responded to the bell with a 22 point performance. He hit 3 in 5 from beyond the arc and attacked the bucket, reaching the line and making six of seven there as well.
In addition, he blocked two kicks and caught 10 rebounds. It was that kind of effort and, frankly, what he had the other night that makes you think he has the talent to be the Ten Player of the Year.
The Wolverines could have three legitimate candidates, although Dickinson is losing strength with his recent fights, although 10 points is not bad. The six turns were a little ugly, but it is a learning process and his defensive effort was impressive when he managed to stay on the ground.
Still, one of Michigan’s top three players is likely to disregard some postseason awards, simply due to the depth of the league.
Along with Eli Brooks and Austin Davis, Livers set the tone. His 3-point shot helped Michigan to break up, as the Boilers didn’t make an attempt in the first half and after watching their effort, it’s hard for me to say that anyone on this list is better.
I am not saying that he is better than Dickinson or Wagner. But he’s as good as anyone and when he kicks the ball like he did on Friday, Michigan is going to be very difficult to win.
Eli Brooks makes a monstrous difference
While Dickinson struggled with deviations and fouls, Wagner struggled to make the ball fall. But because of the way Eli Brooks opened the game, it didn’t matter. He made a 3-point basket at the start, played his defense always flawless and found some creative ways to score from the inside.
His final line is: 11 points, five rebounds, two blocks, two steals and zero turnovers. It has been said before that he is the glue guy for this team, but it showed again on Friday night. He was the biggest difference between that result and last Saturday’s loss to Minnesota when he didn’t play.
Big Ten’s best defense strikes again
Trevion Williams played Michigan basketball last season, but on Friday he was kept with 14 points from 6 of 19 shots. Dickinson’s length gave him internal problems, as did Johns and Davis off the bench in different ways.
Purdue obviously lost Sasha Stefanovic and the Boilers were only 2 of 12 from the bottom, but the Wolverines kept them at just 33 percent in attempts at 2 points too and that was a big difference in the game.
It is easy to get involved in the attack, but this victory was all about defense and with 8-1 in the Big Ten, the Wolverines are still alone at the top of the Big Ten.