Michigan MBB Outlasted by Wake Forest 72-70 in Deacon-Wolverine Challenge

Michigan men’s basketball dropped to 1-1 on the season after Wake Forest (3-0) pulled out a 72-70 win on Sunday. The Wolverines led for almost 30 minutes of game time, but a combination of turnovers and missed shots prevented them from keeping their lead. 

Tale of Two Halves

Michigan held a 13 point lead around the ten minute mark of the first half, but Wake Forest stayed around. The Demon Deacons went on a 10-3 run before half time to go into the locker room down 38-34.

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The Wolverines shot 50% from the field and 47% from deep range in the first half, but that didn’t translate into the second. Michigan shot just 34.5% from the field in the second half, and it was 2-for-16 (12.5%) from behind the arc. Conversely, Wake Forest improved its shooting percentage in every category in the second half. 

Michigan had 16 turnovers on Sunday to match the number it had against Cleveland State in the season opener. The Wolverines have a team full of transfers, so it’s likely that the turnovers are a result of a lack of chemistry, and not something that will hinder them all season. 

Junior Michigan guard Roddy Gayle Jr. led the team with 11 points. Fellow junior guard Tre Donaldson had ten points, nine rebounds (team-high) and four assists. Freshman guard LJ Cason had ten points off of the bench. 

Seven footers Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf combined for 12 points and seven rebounds. The Wolverines are set to host TCU next on Friday at 6 p.m.

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