Takeaways: Michigan basketball vs. Maryland
On Thursday night, Michigan basketball had defeated Maryland 5 times in a row. The Terrapins were beaten 81 to 46 by Michigan basketball on Jan. 1.
Thursday, however, belonged to Terrapins.
At the half, the Wolverines were trailing 32-32. However, Michigan was being outrebounded by 20-15 in halftime. The Terps were able to score 24 points in post-game with 10 offensive rebounds.
The second half was a little better from the Michigan defense, but the Wolverines couldn’t get enough stops nor could the maize and blue get consistent offense.
The Wolverines fall to Maryland on Thursday 64-58 and that drops Michigan’s record to 10-8 (4-3).
We have compiled a list of our key takeaways following Thursday’s loss by the Wolverines to Maryland.
Michigan did not respond to Maryland’s paint request
Photo by Paul Sherman
This was possibly the worst Michigan defense looked all season. Yeah, teams have been hot shooting the 3 against the Wolverines in the past, but against Maryland — the maize and blue had a lackluster defensive presence.
The Terrapins scored 64 point in the game. Maryland was the clear winner with 42 points in their paint. The Terps scored 36 points on layups, dunks, and 32.5 points on the floor.
Michigan appeared to have no interest in being on Thursday night’s court. The Terrapins kept a close eye on the Michigan defenders, scoring easy layups all the while the Wolverines looked around.
Too little offensive support for the Wolverines
Jett Howard (13), and Hunter Dickinson (19] struggled to make it to double figures Thursday night. However, they were both able to score, as usual.
Outside of the junior and freshman, there wasn’t much help from anyone else. Dug McDaniel went 2-for-10 from the line, while Kobe Bufkin was 1-for-6. Terrance Williams got nine points, while Terrance Williams shot the ball six times.
Teams are consistently double-teaming Dickinson on the block and Michigan hasn’t done a good enough job of making teams pay when doing so. On Thursday, the Wolverines shot 28% at 3 and had numerous chances to score from the perimeter after Dickinson has made his double.
We didn’t see too much from Tarris Reed on Thursday, but his poor free-throw shooting may be holding him back from receiving quality minutes.
Juwan Howard, Coach of the Wolverines, will have to come up with something in the next games.
It is important to have a sense of urgency
January 19, 2023, College Park, Maryland, USA. Dug McDaniel, Michigan Wolverines’ guard, makes a move for the basket against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports
Like Michigan’s defense, the Wolverines as a unit looked uninterested on Thursday — especially in the first half.
You would’ve thought Michigan was a team that could afford a loss, but that’s not the case. If the maize and blue could’ve won on Thursday, they would be second in the Big Ten, but instead Michigan is now 10-8 (4-3).
As of now, it’s hard to say the Wolverines are an NCAA tournament team. The defense is weak and Michigan makes too many errors.
There is still work to be done by the coaches to prepare these players for the last stretch of Big Ten play. Michigan has to win some quality games, even though the Wolverines are in control of their own destiny. It is important to win at home, and it is equally important to win on the road.