Game 27: Michigan at Northwestern Recap

In what’s expected to be the final road game without Dug McDaniel, Michigan suffered a sixth defeat and fifth by double digits.

The Wolverines got off to a hot start and led 26-17 late in the first half, but Northwestern stopped doubling the post, and Michigan ran out of answers.

At that point, Michigan was 5-of-8 at the rim and 5-of-7 from three and scoring 1.36 points per possession. The Wolverines would manage just .9 points per possession over the game’s final 40 possessions. They shot just 6-of-14 at the rim, 3-of-8 on other twos, 3-of-4 from 3-point range, and 9-of-16 at the charity stripe.

Without playing off the double team, Michigan’s offense couldn’t generate easy looks and was forced to settle for difficult drives to the rim, desperation late clock shots, or contested looks in the post.

As Michigan’s offense dried up, its defense lost its way. Northwestern opened the game shooting 3-of-15 on twos but made 17 of 27 twos over the final 25 minutes to cruise to an easy win. Michigan’s 11 turnovers, largely a product of its inability to create good looks, led directly to 22 Wildcat points.