Michigan Delivers with D and Livers to maul Maryland 87 – 63
Michigan mauled Maryland for the second time this year 87 – 63. Michigan shooters unloaded on Maryland with a season high twelve three pointers. Maryland’s defensive rotations could not keep pace with Michigan as they attempted to smother Hunter Dickinson on the blocks. In their last matchup, Dickson scored a career high in points and single handily embarrassed the Terps on their home court. Tonight would belong to Isaiah Livers who carved out twenty points against the Terps defense.
In a loaded Big 10, #7 Michigan sits a top of the conference that lost its first game of the year against Minnesota last week. Michigan seemed to harness their frustration build and they would take it out on Maryland early.
Tonight, Maryland used early double teams when Dickinson touched the ball hoping to prevent Dickinson taking over like he did in their last contest. The good news for Maryland was their containment of Dickinson who was scoreless in the first half.
They pressured the big man near the basket and forced outside shooters to make shots from distance. The bad news is, the Wolverines would tear a part the open looks. Mike Smith went 3-of-3 to start the game. Michigan would continue to torch the nets going 5-of-5 from deep forcing Mark Turgeon to call a timeout down 17-3.
Despite the hot shooting, Maryland would continue to double Dickinson down low and both Wiggins and Morsell would find the net to bring Maryland within ten points. Michigan would cool down momentarily from deep, but still found open looks with efficient play on the offensive end. Michigan continually rotated the ball through extra passes; crisp cuts to the lane and precision passing to hit teammates in rhythm to showcase why they sit atop the top division in NCAA.
Donta Scott would tickle the twine for Maryland, but Michigan would continually find higher percentage shots on their end of the floor. While Maryland did not play poorly, their offense this season relies on making open shots beyond the arc. Tonight they struggled and it showed going 4-of-19 (21.1%) from three point range.
Frustrations for Mark Turgeon would build as Maryland had several missed opportunities in the first half including several open looks near the rim. After the red hot start from Michigan and poor shooting efforts, Maryland still found themselves within striking distance with only a few minutes to go in the first half.
However, Maryland would watch Michigan’s shooters sink their teeth into the basket shooting 8-of-14 from deep and chew on a 42-25 lead at the end of the first half.
If you have seen Hugh Jackman emerge from the weapon X program you know how these Wolverines emerged out of halftime to maul Maryland over and over from range.
Aaron Wiggins, who has been the Terps go to scorer with an injured Eric Ayala averaging over fifteen points per game over the last eight games, would rise up to hit an open jumper, but Michigan would respond with its tenth made three point basket.
Michigan would continue to suffocate Maryland on both ends of the floor and they would terrorize their prey throughout the second half. Frustrations boiled over as Mark Turgeon attempted to defend a Darryl Morsell technical after a non-call near the basket. Replay showed a Michigan defender slap the facemask of Morsell, which caused the senior to scream at the referee begging for a foul. In the last contest, Morsell suffered a broken orbital on a similar foul almost ending the career for Morsell in a Terps uniform.
With less than eight minutes to play Maryland would find themselves down over twenty points despite having four players in double figures. Juwan Howard would empty his bench with less than three minutes to play and the Wolverines would comfortably play out the final minutes of the game securing the conference victory.
Maryland will look to rebound against Minnesota at “The Barn” 2:00 p.m. this Saturday.
