ANN ARBOR – Wisconsin came to Crisler Center on Tuesday with its everyday first five, no. 9 national rankings, and very great experience.
It did not matter.
Michigan did what he did to almost every opponent, especially late, and dominated on both sides en route to a 77-54 victory to improve to 11-0.
The Wolverines’ 36-3 run, which spans both halves, makes for another standout from the Big Ten. They led by as much as 40 points.
Four Wolverines scored between 12 and 16 points as Michigan shot 52 percent from the field and made 9-of-16 3s. Wisconsin shot just 31 percent, and even the figure was boosted by hot shooting after the outcome was decided.
Good luck finding a team that now plays better than no. 7 in Michigan. UM previously had a 25-point victory over Minnesota and a 19-point victory over Northwest. Both opponents were ranked at the time.
Wisconsin, the last team to beat Crisler on Feb. 27, was set to face a tougher challenge.
Instead, the Wolverines rolled to 6-0 in the conference with selfless offense and suffocating defense. Their 14-0 run to close out the first half gave them a 17-point lead and had the home bench in hysteria. Wisconsin scored the first three points of the second half. It was then that the Wolverines went for the jugular.
Chaundee Brown’s setback dunk clinched a 22-0 run the next 6:38 and would have ripped the roof off Crisler if there were fans outside the small number of family members.
Wisconsin missed nine straight field goals and turned around three times during the onslaught. The Badgers entered as one of the nation’s best 3-point shooting teams, but only started 3-out-17 from deep (they finished 9-out-28). Wisconsin dropped to 10-3 overall in the Big Ten and 4-2.
Franz Wagner produced 15 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Mike Smith scored 16 and added six assistants. Isaiah Livers had 13 points and six boards.
D’Mitrik Trice led Wisconsin by 20 points. Micah Potter added 12, the only other Badger in double digits.
The teams combined just ten release attempts.
In addition to Michigan’s monster win, center Austin Davis has returned after missing the past five games with a foot injury sustained on Dec. 9. The senior red shirt played 12 minutes off the bench and scored four points and four rebounds.
Davis’ absence coincided with the appearance of Hunter Dickinson. Michigan’s leading scorer of the season scored just two points in the first half, but started and finished with 12 points during the second half. Dickinson also scored three of Michigan’s nine blocks.
The shots from Wisconsin that reached the basket were mostly challenged. The Badgers could not get offensive rhythm. One of the best countries to limit turnover had more gifts (10) than aid (eight) on Tuesday.
After Wisconsin stopped the aforementioned 22-0 volley, Michigan scored the next seven points. In total, it was a 43-6 run that left Michigan standing at 69-29 with 10:23 left.
Michigan will try to keep the momentum going in a rematch with no. 23 Minnesota Saturday in Minneapolis.
Tuesday’s game looked like it would be competitive early on. Livers showed its full repertoire early on and scored seven points as Michigan led 11-5. Wisconsin’s third three-pointer tied the game at 15 with 12:13 left in the half before Michigan found its rhythm from deep.
Brown hit a 3 shortly after his check-in. Wagner buried one. Livers crossed his defender – who fell and drew a flop alert – before passing Brandon Johns Jr. for a corner triple, and Michigan led 26-19 with 8:31 left.
Wisconsin reduced the deficit to three with 6:19 left before Michigan’s 14-0 run to close the half. It had consecutive steals and breakaways, a high-flying Wagner dump, a nice back 3 from Smith and a defense for the lock. Michigan led 40-23.
The Michigan bank exploded in court, claiming its presence all night.