4 Takeaways from Michigan Basketball's Dominant Win over UCLA
After a thrilling escape against Northwestern on Wednesday night, the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines returned to the hardwood at Crisler Center, ready to face another formidable opponent: UCLA. The Bruins put up a valiant effort, especially in the first half, but Michigan's prowess in the second half proved too much to handle, resulting in a decisive 86-56 victory.
With the NCAA Tournament on the line, the Bruins, led by head coach Mick Cronin, are in a precarious position as they approach the final weeks of the regular season. BracketMatrix currently ranks UCLA as an 11-seed, with many projections placing them as a play-in team. Clearly, the Bruins need to secure some quality wins and avoid costly losses to secure their tournament spot.
Michigan, on the other hand, caught fire from beyond the arc in the second half, making it impossible for UCLA to mount a comeback. This victory extends the Wolverines' winning streak to 10 games, solidifying their position at the top of the Big Ten championship race.
Here are four key insights from this impressive win.
The Yax Man's Impact
Among a talented roster, Yaxel Lendeborg stands out as the catalyst for Michigan's success on both ends of the court. He made his presence felt early on, driving to the hoop with determination and drawing fouls, which led to free throws. Lendeborg shared the scoring lead with nine points at halftime, with a significant contribution of seven points from the free-throw line. He also grabbed five rebounds and recorded one block.
Lendeborg's outstanding performance continued in the second half, as he knocked down two three-pointers and a layup, extending Michigan's lead to 14 points with approximately 12 minutes remaining. His all-around display ended with a team-high 17 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. Lendeborg's versatility and impact on the game are undeniable, and his consistent performance positions Michigan as a formidable contender for the championship.
The Bench's Resilience
Michigan's bench, led by L.J. Cason, once again stepped up to the challenge. When head coach Dusty May introduced Roddy Gayle Jr. and L.J. Cason into the game during the first media timeout, the move proved to be a game-changer. Gayle's three-pointer broke the Wolverines' early slump, and Cason's subsequent three-pointer put Michigan ahead 19-8. Cason's agility and scoring prowess were on full display as he hit another three-pointer, establishing Michigan's first double-digit lead at 22-12.
Cason's performance included a spectacular and-one, followed by a block from Lendeborg, which he converted into a layup, extending Michigan's lead to a game-high 21 points. The enthusiastic crowd at Crisler Center erupted in cheers, and UCLA was forced to call a timeout with approximately eight minutes remaining.
The bench contributed 11 points in the first half, with Cason accounting for eight of those points, and a total of 24 points throughout the game. Cason's confidence has been building over the past week, following his 18-point outing on Wednesday at Northwestern. His and the rest of the bench's contributions will be invaluable as Michigan strives for multiple championships this season.
Two Challenges for Michigan
Michigan faced challenges in their three-point shooting, particularly in the first half. The Wolverines struggled from beyond the arc, making only 3 out of 13 attempts in the first half, with the starting five combining for 0 out of 8. Overall, they were 7 out of 19 for the game. Fortunately, UCLA's three-point shooting was even worse, making only 6 out of 21 attempts.
Additionally, the Bruins dominated the Wolverines on the glass in the first half, securing 21 rebounds compared to Michigan's 11. While Michigan won the rebounding battle for the entire game by a narrow margin (30-29), the Bruins' strong performance on the boards provided them with more opportunities to score.
Despite these challenges, they are not considered major concerns for Michigan's future, especially when compared to their three-point shooting struggles. However, they should be monitored, particularly when facing physically demanding teams like Purdue, Duke, and Illinois in the upcoming games.
Defensive Insights
Michigan's defense was impressive in the first half, especially during the initial 10 minutes. They effectively stifled UCLA's offensive flow and forced difficult shots.
However, the negative aspect was their inability to secure defensive rebounds, which led to second-chance opportunities for UCLA. The Bruins collected eight offensive rebounds in the first half, resulting in 11 second-chance points. UCLA finished the game with 18 second-chance points and 13 offensive rebounds, keeping the game close throughout the first half and for a few minutes into the second half.
Up Next
The Wolverines will travel to face Purdue on Tuesday, with a tip-off scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The game will be exclusively available for streaming on Peacock.
