Michigan suffered its first loss of the season on Friday evening as Xavier walked out of the Crisler Center with a statement, 86-70, victory.
Xavier was the most aggressive and physical team and had an answer whenever Michigan cut into its second half lead. The Wolverines will head on the road to the Bahamas in hopes of finding their footing against a talented UConn team.
Player of the game
Caris LeVert. LeVert carried Michigan, but it wasn’t enough. The 6-foot-6 senior finished with 29 points, seven rebounds and three assists in the losing effort
It was over when
Michigan cut the lead to two points twice in the second half, but both times Xavier answered immediately with a three. But the game was out of reach with 6:34 to play in the second half.
A multiple offensive rebound possession for Xavier ended up with a pair of free throws for Trevon Bluiett, who beat Zak Irvin to a 50-50 ball, to stretch the lead to 11 points.
That play was part of a 12-1 Xavier run that would eventually stretch the lead to 15 points.
Stat of the game: Xavier’s offense
Xavier scored 1.30 points per possession on the night in what was a brutal defensive performance by the Wolverines. The Musketeers got penetration, second chances and finished at the rim. Xavier had four players in double figures on the night, Michigan had just one.
Room for improvement: Interior play
Xavier outscored Michigan 34-14 in the paint and the offense came not just from big men like Jalen Reynolds (15 points), but also guards slashing past Michigan’s wings and guards with relatively no resistance.
