Five takeaways from Michigan’s 84-70 win over Marquette

After a tough loss to UConn last Friday, Michigan rebounded with an 84-70 win over Marquette on Wednesday night.

After falling behind early, the Wolverines snapped off a 20-5 run to end the first half. That run buoyed Michigan for the rest of the game and gave it an eight-point cushion that only grew in the second half.

Here are five takeaways from the Wolverines’ win: winning the paint, Cadeau looking sharp, Trey McKenney still struggling, Moustapha Thiam finding his footing down low, and a tightening rotation.

1. Michigan won the paint

While not entirely undersized, Marquette was dominated in the paint for most of the game. Michigan grabbed 45 rebounds to the Golden Eagles’ 33, and nine of those came on the offensive glass.

“At some point people are going to do everything they can to try to keep JP Estrella from getting rebounds,” Mike Boynton Jr. said. “They may send two, which again, it’s going to be incumbent upon our guards to get in there and help. Elliot had seven, Trey had five, and Roddy and Quinn both got four (rebounds). And if you get that now, you’re going to have a chance to really, really make a difference on the glass.”

Moustapha Thiam led the way with 12 boards, but just like he has all season, JP Estrella shined brightest on the offensive glass with four offensive rebounds.

Similarly, the Wolverines’ rim protection was on full display as Marquette struggled to get anything going inside the arc. The Golden Eagles went just 13-for-38 from two-point range and were outscored 36-22 in the paint. Thiam and Estrella combined for five blocks, and their shot-altering was a big reason why Marquette was unable to find much offensive rhythm down low.

The Wolverines were intent on shutting down Golden Eagles guard Nigel James Jr., and they did, keeping James scoreless with more turnovers than assists.

“Once he beat the on-ball defender, we just switched it,” Cadeau said. “The big just stepped up, and the guy guarding the ball screen just switched onto the big. We got a lot better on that.”

It was the best defensive game that Michigan’s new-look frontcourt has played.