Michigan struggled without Livers, obviously, shooting 21.7% from 3 and playing terrible transition defense and giving up way too many open shots in general along with a lot of free throws. Sparty also controlled the tempo, making it a 75 possession game. The only important team stat that they won was turnover percentage (17% forced, 13% committed)
That said, Michigan did keep it somewhat close until the last few minutes, when they struggled to score and gave up some open shots. I was somewhat encouraged by Johns getting rebounds and going to the rim, though I thought he also passed up a few open shots. He helped Michigan keep the rebounding percentages even (29% each way, which is worse than Michigan usually does defensively but better than usual on offense).
Wagner and Teske committed too many unnecessary fouls. When they were in the game, they played pretty well, though. They both need to get more involved in the offense, though, especially so long as Livers is out.
Simpson played okay but tried to do too much. That said, Brooks and DeJulius need to play better and more consistently to relieve the pressure on him.
Finally, Davis had a pretty good game and even played him and Teske together with some success. Castleton did not play well, and Michigan even put Johns at center at the end of the game. At this point, I'd make Davis the backup center for the rest of the year (and make Johns the center against small lineups) and just play Castleton at the 4 spot, when necessary.
Nunez still got 2 minutes but was quickly pulled when he made mistakes. Nothing against him, but hopefully Howard finally takes him out of the rotation unless/until he's not a defensive liability, even with Livers out. I'm not sure Bajema is ready, either, but he's done more good things in his limited playing time than Nunez has with more opportunities.
Anyway, I'm glad to get this game out of the way. It's a learning experience and hopefully will help speed the development of the young guys with Livers out. Purdue is next, which is probably the most winnable game in the next 3 weeks (the 3 after that being @ Minnesota, @ Iowa, and Penn State before some games they should definitely win - especially if Livers is back - against Illinois, @ Nebraska, and Rutgers in NYC) so that looms large..... February and March are when most of the real tossup games on the schedule are, though....
