After two weeks in the AP Top 25, the Michigan Wolverines were nowhere to be found in the updated rankings on Monday, December 23. This follows their devastating loss to 14th-ranked Oklahoma on Wednesday after taking a three point lead to the 11 second mark in the second half. That is when Sooners freshman point guard Jeremiah Fears sank a three to tie the game at 86–and got fouled in the process. Fears completed the four-point play, Michigan missed a last-second jumper, and the game ended 87-86.
The Wolverines entered the contest ranked #24, having fallen 10 spots following another disappointing loss, 89-87 versus Arkansas, in their only game the week before. They took out their frustrations in an 89-58 win over Purdue Fort Wayne on Sunday, but drubbing a Horizon League opponent is unlikely to impress AP voters. This week, Michigan garnered only 50 ranking points and slipped out of the rankings.
The Michigan Wolverines’ Up-and-Down Season
Before the week of December 9, the Wolverines had yet to make an appearance in the top 25. They began the year unranked and dropped their second game of the season to Wake Forest, 72-70. After that, however, they put together a 7-game win-streak culminating in victories over Xavier and conference opponents Wisconsin and Iowa. In particular, beating the then 11th-ranked Badgers on the road was an impressive showing. The Wolverines vaulted to 14th in the AP Poll.
Since then, it has been a frustrating couple of weeks featuring three total games. Michigan got out to a 36-21 advantage against Arkansas before the Razorbacks closed the gap to end the half. To start the second period, they surrendered a 12-0 run and fell behind by nearly twenty points. With a final line of 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists, junior big man Danny Wolf helped them battle back for an exciting finish, but the comeback fell short on guard Roddy Gayle Jr.’s turnaround fadeaway at the buzzer.
The loss to Oklahoma couldn’t be much more deflating. This time, the Wolverines came out fast in the second half, building their small lead to double digits with under ten minutes to go. While no one expected the 11-0 Sooners to make it easy, Michigan had the outcome in control up 86-83 with the ball and under a minute to go. But a blocked shot and a turnover opened the door for Fears, whose heroics left him with 30 points on 8-12 shooting, including 11-13 on free throws.
Michigan’s Vladislov Goldin, the 7’1” senior, posted impressive stats himself with 26 points and 12 boards, but his performance was overshadowed by the shocking defeat.
Still Plenty of Positives This Season, with Opportunities Ahead
Despite their late game letdowns, the Wolverines have played well on the whole, with a solid roster that balances offensive responsibility. Four starters are in double-figures, and boast two productive seven-footers in the front-court: the Russian-born Goldin leads the team in points (13.7) and blocks (1.9) per game, while Wolf averages a double-double (11.8 PTS, 10.2 REB) and a team-best 3.8 assists. Guards Gayle Jr. and Tre Donaldson both tally over 12 points and 3 dimes per game with Donaldson shooting 41.3% from deep.
Overall the team is still 9-3 and 2-0 in conference play. This is a promising start after going 8-24 last season to finish last in the Big Ten with (3-17 versus conference foes). Head coach Dusty May has the program headed in the right direction in his first year at Michigan replacing Juwan Howard.
The Wolverines have a week off before playing Western Kentucky on December 29. Then Big Ten action will resume in earnest, tipping off with games against USC and #22 UCLA during the first week of January. Against the Bruins, ESPN’s BPI predictor currently gives Michigan a 35.5% chance of victory. They may have to punch above their weight, but if they can find a way to close out tight games, the Wolverines can reclaim a spot in the rankings.
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