At the Buzzer: Duke 68, Michigan 63

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Rapid reaction to Michigan’s 68-63 loss versus Duke.

THE MOMENT

Cameron Boozer didn’t have the loudest night at all by his standards, but when Duke needed it, he made the biggest shot of the game.

Up by three points with under two minutes to play, Boozer took the ball at the top of the key and drained the Blue Devils’ first 3-pointer in more than 15 minutes. The 3-pointer put Duke back up six, and gave cushion to the Blue Devils’ lead even after a late Michigan 3-pointer made things close.

THE TAKEAWAY

Michigan’s offense was stagnant in the second half. After a fairly productive first half — and a very productive first few minutes — the Wolverines’ offense fell dormant.

Against a long, physical, aggressive Duke defense, Michigan had difficulty generating good shots. The Wolverines were unsuccessfully driving to the rim, and, apart from a 3-pointer from sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan couldn’t get anything going from beyond the arc. When Johnson and junior center Aday Mara sat, the difference in physicality was apparent, and the Wolverines’ initial shots were frenetic.

Michigan tried its best to mount a comeback with a late 7-0 run, but a snuffed layup from junior guard Elliot Cadeau and Duke free throws on the other end turned a one-point deficit into five, and the Wolverines never clawed back. Against the best defense Michigan has ever played, the Wolverines were left searching for answers — and never found anything consistent.

THE STAR

Yaxel Lendeborg singlehandedly carried Michigan’s offense at the start of this one, and didn’t slow down much as the game went on. The graduate forward couldn’t miss in the first half, scoring 16 points on nine shots with two 3-pointers and two free throws. He also added four rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block over his 18 first-half minutes.

Lendeborg was the hub of the Wolverines’ offense for much of the first half, getting to the rim and putting the ball in the basket with relative ease. He’s had a tendency to elevate his game on big stages, and played significantly more aggressively than usual going up against No. 3 Duke. When he wanted to get to the rim, he did.

Maybe some of that was the setting, but the rest can be attributed to the state of Michigan’s front court. Both sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr. and junior center Aday Mara found themselves in foul trouble early, essentially forcing Dusty May to keep Lendeborg on the court. His 16 first-half points were his most this season, and a primary reason why the Blue Devils couldn’t put things away early.

He was less effective in the second half, along with the rest of the Wolverines on offense. But with 4:07 left, his second-chance 3-pointer brought the score within one, capping a 7-0 run for Michigan and infusing hope into any chance of a comeback. Lendeborg ended the night with a game-high 21 points, 7 rebounds and three assists in 39 minutes.

THE STAT

Duke outrebounded Michigan 41-28. The Blue Devils had their way on the defensive glass, doing a great job at limiting the Wolverines to just a 22.2 OR%. Michigan’s offensive rebounding has been a bright spot over the past few games, but a combination of the Wolverines’ front court picking up early fouls and Duke’s length and aggression on the boards limited Michigan’s second-chance opportunities.

It felt like whenever Johnson or Mara, or both, sat on the bench, the Wolverines were left praying that first shot would fall. For pretty much the second half, thanks to the Blue Devils’ strong defense, it didn’t — and Michigan couldn’t make up for those ineffective offensive possessions.

Fittingly, the Wolverines’ final chance of winning was essentially wiped away by another Duke offensive rebound. After failing to corral the miss, Michigan sent Isaiah Evans to the line and he made both shots, sinking the dagger in the Wolverines.

FOUR FACTORS