Prior to the game, I said…the team who gets the early lead will have an opportunity to build upon that momentum and close the deal.
That’s not exactly a novel argument but that’s exactly what Michigan did and it proved to be the difference maker. In a game measured by a single digit…the Wolverines fast start was meaningful and measurable. Michigan got the nod for ‘home field’ advantage and I think the familiarity of Crisler enabled them to sprint to a fast start but in the grand scheme of things…give Michigan credit…they got the ‘W’. They made the Spartans look tentative!
The Spartans had a strong defensive showing in the second half by holding Michigan to a mere 24 points…..buttttttttttttttt Michigan got out to a fast start by scoring 36 points in the first half and that is waaaayyy too many by Spartan standards. The Spartans are usually unbeatable if they hold their opponent under 60 points but allowing 36 points in the first half changed the Spartans game strategy, and in turn, Michigan took advantage of their hard work.
While Michigan was playing a short bench (only 6 players with double digit minutes) I thought the Spartans should have ‘forced’ the ball into the middle at the beginning of the game…even though Michigan was making it difficult…because I thought the Spartan advantage was their size and strength in the middle…and I thought they needed to force that issue until they wore down Michigan.
I thought the Spartans could exert their will and create foul trouble for the Wolverines…but they didn’t. The Spartans only got to the line 5 times. Derrick Nix (6’9” & 270) and Adreian Payne (7’3” masquerading as 6’10” & 240) are unique assets. Nix is big and forceful and Payne is ‘long’ and athletic. Who can stop that duo over 40 minutes? It takes time to loosen up a Defense…but sooner or later the Michigan D (any D) would break with that type of relentless pressure. But the Spartans didn’t force the issue and my assumption is simply speculation!
For his part, Nix scored 13 points on 6 of 9 (66%) from the field…and for Nix, from the field means 3 and a half feet. Nix is a magician with the ball down low…he doesn’t miss. And when Nix goes up with the ball…the world goes up with him. Payne on the other hand had 4 points on 2 of 3 (66%) from the field…once again…his points were scored within a 4 foot arc. To me, feeding the ball inside is tantamount to throwing a 10 yard curl over the middle to a 6’9” & 270# Tight End. All but unstoppable. But, the Spartans have a coach and I’m just an observer…….
In the end, the Spartans weren’t kind to themselves. They gave up (and Michigan earned) 36 first half points and by Spartan standards, that is way too many. Nevertheless, the Spartans battled back with their Defense in ‘high gear’ and held Michigan to 11 points thru the mid way point of the second half and thereafter, the Spartans took their first lead 47-44. The Spartans held the lead for the better part of the last 6 minutes but with momentum on their side…they failed to score in the last two minutes and if you hope to win this type of game…you must control your destiny…and the Spartans failed to take advantage of their late game fortune.
There are a lot stats to support Michigan’s win…or a Spartan loss…for example, the Spartans predictably won the battle of the boards 31-18 and held ‘M’ to 29% from the Arc…but Michigan shot a solid 51% from the field…won the battle of steals 8 to 5…won the battle of Turnovers 8-14…and even won the battle of Blocks 5-1. So, Michigan came to play!
The bottom line is Michigan held serve in Ann Arbor…they have won three consecutive games versus the Spartans…and now the pressure is on the Spartans to reverse their fortunes by beating Michigan at Breslin on Feb 5. It will be a difficult assignment. But between now and then, the Spartans play Purdue (4-2) and Minnesota (2-4) at home before travelling to Illinois (4-1) Jan 31…and then returning home to play Michigan. The promise of a 15 game winning streak has been humbled!
Nevertheless, the Spartans have a ‘young’ and gifted team…they are a special team…but in my opinion, on this night, Michigan made them look tentative…and a fraction of a second in a Track meet is trouble.
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