Five takeaways from Michigan’s win over Miami (OH)

Michigan bounced back from a sluggish start to dominate Miami (OH) in the second half, earning a 94-67 victory at Crisler Center. Despite early turnovers and what Dusty May called a lack of identity, the Wolverines (3-1) used a strong second half and commanding performances from junior guard Tre Donaldson and graduate guard Nimari Burnett to secure the win.

Here are five key takeaways from Michigan’s comfortable win over the RedHawks:

Still finding an identity early in the season

Michigan coach Dusty May knows his team has yet to find its identity despite its 3-1 start. Through miscalculated passes, mistimed cuts, and everything in between, May knows that the Wolverines need to clean up their act. 

“I don’t feel like we have an identity yet on either side of the basketball,” May said. “… You have to figure this stuff out. We’re going to keep fighting the good fight and keep getting better every day. No team is going to be perfect this time of year.”

Michigan came out of the gates looking disjointed, struggling to establish a rhythm on offense or defense. May took note, pulling the entire starting lineup out just three minutes in. Despite the lack of cohesiveness early on, the Wolverines were able to regroup and finish strong. 

“The thing that excites me and our staff the most is that we don’t feel like we’re playing very well, up to our standards,” May said. “We don’t feel like we’re playing anywhere near as well as we’re going to. And so that’s that’s what makes it exciting, that we have such a high ceiling with this group. And so we’ve got to push different buttons, better buttons.”