Wolverines Men's Basketball in Spain: Day Six
8/23/2018 5:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
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The University of Michigan basketball program is on a nine-day trip to Spain (Aug. 17-26) with stops in Madrid and Barcelona. Follow the Wolverines on social media (#VamosAzul) and with a daily travel log on MGoBlue.com. Additionally, follow The Athletic's (@TheAthleticDET) Brendan Quinn (@BFQuinn) and MLive's Andrew Kahn (@AndrewKahn) as they have made the trek with the team and will file daily reporting of the trip and games.
For the second time during the Spain trip, the Wolverines had an opportunity to tour a major fútbol team and its stadium as the Maize and Blue ventured out to Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona, on Thursday (Aug. 23). As with the tour of Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the Wolverines got a firsthand look at the program and its storied history.
Inside the near 100,000-seat Camp Nou stadium.
The Wolverines began Day 6 with a tour of Camp Nou -- home of FC Barcelona.
A flip wall scrolls through FC Barcelona's history and players -- especially star Lionel Messi.
After stopping at the team store, the Wolverines were off to prep for their second game of the trip. After a brief lunch period and hour-long film session, U-M boarded the bus and headed north for Pavelló Esportiu Municipal in Sant Julia de Vilatorta -- just over an hour away.
With more than 100 locals joining a Michigan contingent for the game, the Wolverines found themselves trailing by 16 in the first half against KK Mega Bemax. U-M rallied in the second half, cutting the lead to just two points late in the fourth quarter before falling, 81-73, as KK Mega Bemax converted on free throws down the stretch.
Sophomore Jordan Poole led Michigan with 16 points, while freshman Ignas Brazdeikis followed with 15. Charles Matthews chipped in 12 points. Juniors Zavier Simpson and Austin Davis scored eight each, while sophomores Eli Brooks and Isaiah Livers posted seven apiece.
U-M got off to a strong start, taking an early 7-2 lead before KK Mega Bemax battled back to take the lead at 9-7. The Wolverines were able to maintain a 21-16 lead after the first quarter. When the second quarter started, U-M found itself in a scoring drought as the Wolverines were outscored, 18-7, and trailed by six (34-28) at the half.
In what would turn into a competitive second stanza, U-M first found itself trailing by 16 midway through the third quarter as turnovers and another drought build the deficit. An 11-2 run started a Maize and Blue rally as it methodically cut the deficit and drew as close as two points. However, a late cold spell late in the fourth quarter and key free throw shooting by KK Mega Bemax led to U-M's first loss in Spain.
Saddi Washington manned the main seat for the Wolverines.
The Wolverines and KK Mega Bemax share a postgame photo.
The Wolverines (1-1) are set to return to Sant Julia de Vilatorta and Pavelló Esportiu Municipal on Saturday (Aug. 25) for their final tour game against Joventut Badalona (ACB) at 7 p.m.
Until then ... #VamosAzul
• Wolverines Men's Basketball in Spain: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5
Additional Article Coverage
• 8/22/2018 - Go behind the scenes with Michigan basketball in Barcelona (MLive.com)
• 8/21/2108 - The Wolverines in Spain? A dream come true for one Michigan alum (MLive.com)
• 8/21/2018 - On the ground in Spain, my thoughts from a first look at Michigan basketball (The Athletic)
• 8/21/2018 - The Wolverines in Spain? A dream come true for one Michigan alum (MLive.com)
• 8/21/2018 - Turnovers in Michigan's first basketball game in Spain no cause for panic (MLive.com)
• 8/21/2018 - Michigan basketball could have options with a small-ball lineup (Detroit Free Press)
• 8/20/2018 - Recap & Analysis: Michigan 82, Madrid Generals 72 (UMHoops.com)
• 8/20/2018 - Saddi Washington is in a rare role, with an offseason of perspective guiding him (The Athletic)
• 8/20/2018 - Ignas Brazdeikis vs. the world (The Athletic)
• 8/20/2018 - Michigan basketball beats local Madrid team in first game in Spain (MLive.com)
• 8/19/2018 - In Spain with Michigan, Day 1 includes a candid conversación with Warde Manuel (The Athletic)
