Michigan basketball upsets No. 11 Wisconsin: 3 Takeaways

For only the second time in 53 days, the Wolverines have proven to be victorious. For the first time this entire season, Michigan basketball has defeated an AP top-25 team. Michigan has failed to reach its low expectations that it entered the season with, but nonetheless, Juwan Howard rallied the troops and put together their best 40 minutes.

1. Michigan basketball cohesion

The entire Michigan basketball team did not falter in the second half. All of the players and coaches have heard the noise of their lousy second-half play and responded with arguably their best half of the year. They tied the turnover battle with 12 apiece. Six Wolverines scored at least eight points. Clubhouse leader Dug McDaniel led the team in scoring with 16 points, while Olivier Nkamhoua secured a team-high 12 rebounds. Last night was finally a game that you can look back on and say that Michigan deserved to win.

2. Tarris Reed Jr.

The 6’10” big has played some of his best ball recently, and that did not stop last night. Reed Jr. scored 12 points and snagged six rebounds. Tarris especially impressed with his ability to get to the charity stripe, making a career-high 6/10 free throws. On the defensive end, Reed Jr. also shined with his second straight game with three blocks. Tarris was tagged as a breakout candidate prior to this season and is showing why people had those hopeful intuitions as of late.

He’s getting closer and closer to Dragon Warrior status everyone 🐲 pic.twitter.com/v98hlr6Kem

— Michigan Men’s Basketball (@umichbball) February 8, 2024

3. Monkey off Michigan basketball’s back

The Wolverines had been labeled as the ultimate choke team. Having been outscored by 74 points in their last five second halves, this label could be justified. Heading into the second half tonight, the same label seemed imminent. But, Michigan did not let any of the noise get to them. Despite a 20-point performance from St. John’s transfer AJ Storr, the Wolverines came out valiant in a close 72-68 win.

The (8-15, 3-9 Big Ten) Michigan Wolverines look for their first 2-win week since week 1 of the season in Lincoln against the (16-7, 6-6 Big Ten) Nebraska Cornhuskers. Tip-off is Saturday, February 10th at 6:30 pm EST on Big Ten Network.

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