Connect with us

Michigan

Game Wrap | Michigan 64, Purdue 91 | Purdue leaves no doubt

Published

on

Game Wrap | Michigan 64, Purdue 91 | Purdue leaves no doubt


Game Wrap | Michigan 64, Purdue 91 | Purdue leaves no doubt

Purdue’s Fletcher Loyer took one dribble right to space and the ball careened off his foot towards the right corner.

Advertisement

But on a night like tonight, in a place like Mackey Arena, after a loss like the last loss at Ohio State, Purdue didn’t need this kind of luck but they got it. The ball went straight to Camden Heide, who returned it to Fletcher Loyer who was wide open behind the three-point line.

Loyer would make the three to give #11 Purdue a staggering 41-15 lead over #21 Michigan in the first half.

In a lopsided, statement making victory, Purdue rolled Michigan 91-64.

It was Purdue’s defense that set the tone early for Purdue. Purdue’s Braden Smith, who was exception all game with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals, stole a pass on Michigan’s first possession near half court and took it for an open lay up.

On the next play, Smith’s backcourt mate, CJ Cox would get into Tre Donaldson’s dribble and forc ea turnover. Cox would then get another steal before half court a few plays later and finish with a lay up. Then, Caleb Furst would force a steal and Smith would fire a pass ahead to Cox in the corner for Purdue’s first three of the game.

Advertisement

The jumper gave Purdue a 13-2 lead and it was all Boilers from there.

Michigan’s offense couldn’t hold onto the ball and it couldn’t make a shot. Purdue forced 10 first half turnovers and Michigan shot just 1 of 16 from three.

At the other end, Trey Kaufman-Renn got going early, scoring 6 points before going to the bench for most the first half with two early fouls.

It was Smith who continued to orchestrate the offense for Purdue, showing off his mid-range ability while getting out in transition where he found both Camden Heide and Caleb Furst for alley-oop dunks.

Even Purdue big and true freshman, Raleigh Burgess, would get in on the scoring. Burgess knocked down an open three to give Purdue a 32-11 lead.

Advertisement

Nine Boilermakers would score in the first half.

A turn to zone briefly slowed down Purdue’s offense at the end of the half, but Caleb Furst’s offensive rebounding got Fletcher Loyer a wide open three to give Purdue 51 points in the half.

Purdue would head into the first half leading 51-26 while Purdue held Michigan’s two bigs, Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin, to a combined 6 points.

For Michigan, this horror movie was a two parter because its play was plagued with poor shooting and more turnovers in the second half as Purdue extended the lead to 60-34 on a Myles Colvin steal that he turned into two points.

Raleigh Burgess added another three-pointer, and Braden Smith’s fourth steal of the game led to another transition lay up that had Purdue’s lead up to 70-42 with more than 12 minutes still to play.

Advertisement

The only drama left in this one was if Braden Smith would finally get his triple-double, but Smith would go out with 4:29 to play, just a few rebounds and an assist shy.

Fletcher Loyer had a day shooting the ball, scoring 18 points on 5 of 10 from three.

Trey Kaufman-Renn’s production was steady in 24 minutes of play, scoring 15 and going for 3 rebounds and assists.

For Michigan, its best player, Danny Wolf, was limited from the jump, going just 1 of 7 from the floor and scoring just 4 points while failing to make a difference as a play maker or on the glass.

No secret to what worked for Purdue as its offense rolled, its defensive swarmed a Michigan team that committed 22 turnovers to Purdue’s 6 while shooting 37% from the floor and just 6 of 29 from three.

Advertisement



Source link

Michigan

Trey McKenney to return to Michigan Basketball next season, per report

Published

on

Trey McKenney to return to Michigan Basketball next season, per report


In the middle of what’s been an incredible season for the Michigan men’s basketball team, Dusty May and the program are now confirmed to be bringing back a big contributor for next season. According to a report from Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press, freshman guard Trey McKenney is set to be back with the Wolverines next year.

“We’re going to have a really talented team next year,” McKenney told Garcia. “I came in with a role this year and I think my role would definitely expand next year, so I’m definitely looking forward to coming back.”

McKenney joined the program this offseason as a prized five-star recruit in the Wolverines’ 2025 recruiting class. So far he’s lived up to the billing, coming off the bench to average 9.7 points per game, but shooting an impressive 38.5 percent from three-point range this year. He has already asserted himself as one of the team’s best shooters.

In addition to his offensive game, he’s gotten after it on the defensive end as well and has been regularly on the floor to close games this season. We’ve seen McKenney’s role slowly grow, especially in the absence of fellow guard L.J. Cason, who has missed the last month and is set to miss all of next season with an ACL tear.

Advertisement

By cementing his status with the program, McKenney is a great foundation for what the team hopes to build next season. He’ll likely step into a starting role as the Michigan’s shooting guard, while May and company also look to get players like Elliot Cadeau, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara back in the fold.

Michigan will get a shot to fill out the rest of its roster when the transfer portal opens up on April 7, just one day after the National Championship.

For now though, McKenney and the Wolverines will focus on punching their ticket to the Final Four for the first time since 2018 by defeating Tennessee on Sunday afternoon.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Michigan

Michigan women’s basketball vs. Louisville in Sweet 16: Time, TV, stream

Published

on

Michigan women’s basketball vs. Louisville in Sweet 16: Time, TV, stream


When the Sweet 16 continues on Saturday during the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament, Michigan women’s basketball (27-6) will continue its climb to reach the Final Four for the first time.

The Wolverines, who earned the No. 2 seed in the Fort Worth 3 Region, are playing in the program’s third Sweet 16 under head coach Kim Barnes Arico.

“We committed to Michigan to do this, and we committed to Coach Arico to do it for her and for each other,” Michigan guard Olivia Olson said. “We’re accomplishing the goals we set out to, and we’re not done yet. So we’re going to keep having fun with it and keep preparing.”

Advertisement

Michigan will take on No. 3 Louisville Cardinals (29-7) at 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

“This is my first time going to the Sweet 16, all of our first times, so I think the feeling of, we’re still dancing, we’re still playing basketball, it’s a great feeling,” Louisville guard Taj Roberts said.

The winner from Saturday’s matchup will play in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday, March 30, for the right to advance to the Final Four.

What time is Michigan vs. Louisville?

  • Date: Saturday, March 28
  • Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Dickies Arena (Fort Worth, Texas)

The Michigan Wolverines will play the Louisville Cardinals in the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 28, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

Michigan vs. Louisville: TV, streaming



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Michigan

Morez Johnson Jr. NBA mock draft projection: Where Michigan star is expected to land

Published

on

Morez Johnson Jr. NBA mock draft projection: Where Michigan star is expected to land


The 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament is down to its Sweet 16 and we’ll have a Final Four by Sunday evening. For half of the college stars taking the court this weekend, it’s one final opportuniy to impress NBA teams with their play at full game speed when the lights are brightest as this year’s draft class comes into focus.

The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr.  is expected to go in the first round. Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the big man’s draft night will play out.

Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.

Advertisement

Morez Johnson Jr. 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 25 overall, Los Angeles Lakers

Kalbrosky’s Analysis:

Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson’s shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.

See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here

Morez Johnson Jr. player profile

(all stats as of March 15)

  • Position: Forward-Center
  • Current Team: Michigan
  • 13.1 points per game
  • 7.2 rebounds per game
  • 1.1 assists per game
  • 62.8% field goal percentage
  • 37.9% three-point field goal percentage

Los Angeles Lakers 2026 projected draft picks



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending