Michigan basketball edges past Minnesota, moves into 2nd place

After dropping last week’s contest at Maryland, Michigan basketball (11-8 overall, 5-3 Big Ten) downed the Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-11 overall, 1-7 Big Ten). The win moves the Wolverines to 5-3 in conference play — good enough for a two-way tie for 2nd place tie in the Big Ten standings (Michigan and Rutgers).

Michigan basketball downs Minnesota, 60-56

Despite a slow start, the Wolverines managed to get it together and pull off a victory. Michigan has now swept Minnesota season series — the Wolverines’ also won the first matchup in Minneapolis, 90-75.

Unsurprising to most, Michigan basketball got off to a slow start. Before the Wolverines had even scored a point, the Gophers led 8-0. The lead was pushed to 10 after a few more baskets were scored; Minnesota led 14-4. Regardless, Michigan managed to clean up its sloppy play and claw back into the game.

Baskets by Terris Reed Jr. and Hunter Dickinson narrowed the gap to 20-18, though the Gophers still hung onto their lead. At half, Michigan basketball had tied the game, 23-23. It was not an impressive first half showing, though it was enough to keep the Wolverines in the game down the stretch.

The worst part of the half was not the missed layups, turnovers, sloppy defense, or allowing a 1-6 Big Ten team to stay in the game. The worst part came late in the first half, as the Wolverines’ star guard Jett Howard went down with an ankle injury. It doesn’t look like anything season-ending, which may be the only good news to come from the situation.

A hard-fought second half saw the Wolverines retake the lead and eventually close out the game on top. Michigan was propelled by center Hunter Dickinson (23 points), guard Kobe Bufkin (12 points), and guard Dug McDaniel (10 points). Michigan’s 4-point win is the Wolverines 11th of the year and puts Michigan basketball one step closer and a tournament berth.

What now?

Michigan basketball is set to host No. 3 Purdue at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, MI this Thursday. Following its home contest with the Boilermakers, Michigan hits the road to face Penn State and Northwestern to close out the month of January. To kick off February, the Wolverines host Ohio State in Ann Arbor.

Though Michigan’s resume is a bit underwhelming right now, the Wolverines are somehow still in the mix for the Big Ten Championship and could see an NCAA tournament berth with some help. Michigan basketball will have plenty of opportunities the rest of the way; however, time is running out if U-M isn’t able to string together some wins soon.

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