Michigan
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Uses Stifling "D" to Take Down Wolverines
2/3/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's basketball lost a 60-41 decision to the University of Wisconsin (No. 10 AP, No. 16 ESPN/USA Today) on Saturday (Feb. 3) at Crisler Arena. Despite a career-high 21 points from Bernard Robinson Jr. (Washington D.C./New Hampton Prep [N.H.]), the Wolverines had a season-low 41 points in the contest. Michigan had a higher field goal percentage than the Badgers (41 percent compared to 38.3) but had 17 turnovers in the game.
Michigan (9-11, 3-6 Big Ten) shot the ball well at the start of the game, thanks to the Big Ten leader in field goal percentage, Chris Young (Plymouth, Mich./Catholic Central HS). Young got the Wolverines on the board with their first possession, using a hook shot just outside the key on the baseline. He then came right back on his next attempt, banking another hook off the glass inside the key. Robinson Jr. hit his first shot of the game from three-point land to give the Wolverines a 7-4 lead with 17:10 on the clock.
Michigan demonstrated its high-low game as Josh Asselin (Caro, Mich./Caro HS) hit LaVell Blanchard (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) for Blanchard's first triple of the afternoon, after Asselin received a double-team from the Badgers. Blanchard again answered a Wisconsin bucket, by hitting a long-range jumper with the shot clock nearing zero, making the score 14-12 in favor of the Wolverines at the 10:10 mark.
An eruption from the crowd was the response following a Robinson Jr. one-handed tip-dunk, as he soared over two Wisconsin defenders to stop a 9-0 Badger run. He then followed that act with a fan pleasing up-and-under reverse layup, spinning the ball off the glass for another dazzling deuce and cutting the lead to 23-18 with just 3:22 left to play.
In the final two minutes of the half, Michigan's offense was sparked by its forwards. First, Robinson Jr. added his third fantastic finish, this time connecting on another reverse layup on the other side of the rim. He then fed Blanchard up the court ahead of the Badger defense for an easy layin, making Wisconsin call a timeout with just 48.4 seconds remaining and a four-point Badger lead.
Wisconsin (14-5, 5-3 Big Ten) took a 29-22 advantage as the two teams went into the locker room. Michigan shot well from the field at 45.5 percent (10-22) but allowed seven offensive rebounds for the Badgers which led to second-chance opportunities. Robinson Jr. led all scorers with nine points and had four rebounds in the first 20 minutes of action.
After the intermission, Michigan began the half on a 7-2 run. Blanchard started the run, hitting a three off the wing on the team's first trip down the court. Following a Badger miss, Robinson Jr. pulled up off the break, swishing a mid-range jumper. On the next possession, Robinson Jr. used a shot-fake and one dribble to free himself and nail a jump shot from 12 feet out, bringing the Wolverines within two at 31-29 at the 17:00 mark.
Wisconsin extended the lead after a 10-0 run midway through the half. Robinson Jr. ended the run as he finger rolled the ball up-and-under yet again for a deuce. A minute later (11:07), he added a driving layup, displaying more of his one-on-one skills, making the score 44-33. But the next six minutes were controlled by the Badgers as they went on a 12-3 run, increasing the lead to 56-36 with 5:32 left in the game.
In the final minutes of the game, both teams traded baskets, but the Wolverines could not pull off another run to trim the Badger lead.
The Wolverines travel to Penn State on Wednesday (Feb. 7), with tipoff at 8 p.m. in State College, Pa.
N O T E S
The 41 points scored by Michigan was its lowest offensive output since the Wolverines had 34 points against Northwestern (Feb. 4, 1999) in a 58-34 defeat in Evanston, Ill.
This was the Wisconsin's first victory at Crisler Arena since the Badgers beat Michigan 65-63 on Jan. 7, 1982.
With his 10 points, LaVell Blanchard ended his four-game streak of scoring 20 or more points.
In addition to his career high in points, Bernard Robinson Jr. tied his career high with eight field goals. His previous career high in points was 20 against Maryland (Dec. 2).
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
