Rapid reaction to Michigan’s 81-71 win at Oregon.
THE MOMENT
After a buzzer-beater 3-pointer from Oregon guard Wei Lin put the Ducks up by one point heading into the half, Michigan needed some offensive energy.
The Wolverines hit the ground running to start the second half with a 10-2 run, sparked by two consecutive threes from guards Nimari Burnett and Elliot Cadeau. Then center Aday Mara, who didn’t find much offensive rhythm in the first half, dished it off under the rim to Burnett for a dunk. Then he spun past his defender into a standing dunk, tipped in a miss at the rim and made a free throw to extend Michigan’s lead.
That stretch gave the Wolverines a seven-point lead, which eventually grew to double-digits. When Michigan’s offense needed some life, Burnett and Mara made it look easy by converting threes and making smart, simple plays.
THE TAKEAWAY
Michigan went the last 6:30 of the first half without making a field goal, and ended up winning by double-digits. That the Wolverines can turn things around in the second half, entirely independently, is a good sign.
Michigan went from shooting under 40% from the field in the first half to over 60% in the second, and the Wolverines looked significantly more capable after a rather flat first half. Essentially, everything that’s slowed Michigan down in past games was a strength in the second half — 3-point shooting, turnovers, and ball movement.
The Wolverines were big favorites against an Oregon team without its two best players, and didn’t come close to covering the KenPom spread. Either way, Michigan’s second-half turnaround on the road indicates this team can problem-solve and play its way out of a funk.
THE STAR
The offensive production — or lack thereof — in the first half was quite balanced, and Michigan’s best defensive player, forward Morez Johnson Jr., sat with three fouls in the first half, but when the Wolverines were playing their worst, one player still managed to stand out.
That was senior guard Nimari Burnett, who scored 15 points, three rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 25 minutes. In the first half, when Michigan’s shot distribution was mostly spread up and down the roster, Burnett contributed 10 on six shots, including two threes. The Wolverines’ shooting slump was something to watch heading into this one, and Burnett got things started from deep for Michigan on Saturday.
Burnett’s scoring has mostly been a bonus this season. Against Oregon, when the Wolverines slowed to a halt in the final minutes of the first half, Burnett’s earlier production helped keep the score close. And his third 3-pointer to open the second half sparked Michigan’s biggest run.
THE STAT
Michigan had nine turnovers in the first half and only five in the second, while its second-half offense was faster and more efficient. Many of those first-half turnovers came from Oregon pressure that turned into bad passes, and the pesky matchup zone that has defined Dana Altman. Even when the Wolverines tried to slow down, the turnovers didn’t.
The Wolverines figured it out in the second half, kept control of the ball, and limited poor decisions.
FOUR FACTORS
dwancket
Always good to get a win on the road. Especially West Coast Trips
dandy_don
Do I recall correctly that Tshcetter started the 2nd half? Presumably becuase of Johnson’s 3 1st half fouls.
steve
Yes, that is correct
Royalman10
This man did not spell Tchsetter’s name right, GET HIM!!
aiglick
Cheddar, big cheese