The Tale of Two Halves; Michigan Falls to Badgers

How to beat Michigan:  Step one: Foul them.  They can't make free throws, ask Indiana and Wisconsin.

Step Two:  Pound it inside.  You will be met with little resistance. (Again, ask Indiana and Wisconsin.)

Michigan had a chance to silence some doubters and get a revenge game against Wisconsin after the Badgers beat them in the only regular season matchup in dramatic fashion.  I am not recapping it because I don't like being sad and angry.

But today, Michigan proved once again, that they are not tough and can be bullied.  Wisconsin shot an incredible 17% in the first half, and miraculously only trailed by 3.  Michigan went 0-4 from the stripe in the first half, and also failed to make a three point basket.

Then in the second half, Wisconsin had their way with Michigan and then some, pounding the ball inside at will, which opened up the arch for it's three point shooters.  Wisconsin scored 51 second half points.  And anyone who's seen Wisconsin play a game knows that 51 points in a game for them is an accomplishments, let alone 20 minutes.

But Michigan's bigs got worked and offered no resistance.  Not even little resistance, no resistance.  But Michigan rallied from an 11 point deficit to get it to two late in the game.  But they're 7 (10-17) missed free throws loomed too large and Wisconsin got momentum back by, you guessed it, out working the Wolverines inside and getting free throws.  

In any tight game, free throws are a deciding factor.  Michigan lost to Indiana because they failed to make free throws down the stretch.  Had Michigan made free throws in this one, the half time lead would have been bigger, and those 7 points would have loomed large late in this one.

And on the other end, Wisconsin made they're free throws, going 16-21 from the line, a +6 point differential to Michigan's 10-17.

There isn't much else to add.  Michigan shot poor from three, poor from the field, poor from the line.  The defense got worked in the second half, and Michigan had no consistency on offense.  This is not a good way to go into the tournament.  

Unless Michigan dials up the defense and makes some free throws, this run won't go past the Sweet 16.  Coach Beilein has got his work cut out for him.

SIDEBAR:

I saw something on Twitter that really irked me.  I saw "fans" attempting to trend #FireBelein.  Really? Fire Beilein?  Why? Because we didn't win a share of the Big Ten? Because we didn't win the Big Ten Tournament?  It's not like we've been a top ten team all year in the best conference in college basketball.

Why don't you all who hopped on this bandwagon drink a nice glass of calm down juice, get back to me in a week and see if you feel the same way.  Guarantee you won't.