It’s hard not to be reflective on the night that Trey Burke’s jersey hits the rafters at the Crisler Center. It takes you back to another era, and a time before the idea of Michigan having a season like this one was within the realm of possibility.
It also puts into perspective just how far expectations have shifted for this season. Michigan set an impossible standard over a five-week non-conference stretch. The Wolverines played so well that somehow four straight Big Ten wins by double figures feels like something to thumb your nose at.
That stretch was real. If this team rediscovers it in March, it has a chance to one-up that 2013 team when the confetti falls on Monday night in April. At the same time, it’s important to just enjoy the ride, too.
That applies to the fans following the team and to the players on the court. Dusty May preaches falling in love with the process, but falling in love with winning Big Ten games is important, too. There are only 20 of them, and they all count the same.
In Las Vegas, Michigan was playing fast and free and enjoying every second. At times over the last month, they’ve felt almost too amped up or over-engineered — a trend embodied by their 8 turnovers, 5 missed free throws, and 2-of-11 3-point shooting in the first half.
In the second half, Michigan rediscovered a bit of that spark. It strung together the spurts that made it special in November, delivered the knockout blow and walked away with its most enjoyable win in weeks.
Just in time for the biggest week of the season yet.
Michigan will have games where it shoots better, makes more free throws, or turns it over less, but this game illustrates how much pressure it can put on a team.
Michigan’s ability to manufacture shots at the rim (76% 2-point shooting), draw fouls (48% FTA/FGA), and dominate the offensive glass (44% offensive rebounding rate, 23 second-chance points) serves as a consistent body blow throughout a game.
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