For the second game in a row, Tommy Amaker started the contest with unusual
lineup, opting to trot out a five-man tandem of Deshawn Sims, Ekpe Udoh, Jerret Smith, Lester Abrams, and Reed Baker. The group battled, but cold shooting saw
them go down by as many as 11 points in the latter part of the first half. The
Wolverines went to a zone the Hoyas capitalized by getting open for three pointers
and by getting to the basket for lay-ups. Then Dion Harris stepped up big for
the home team with just over three minutes remaining. He scored Michigan’s
final ten point, including a personal 5-0 run in the waning moments to send
the Wolverines into the locker room trailing by only six, 31-25.
Coming out of the break, the Hoyas took control immediately. The visitors
knocked down their first four shots, including three triples, to spark an 11-0
run to balloon the lead to 17. Amaker called a timeout and Brent Petway caught
an alley-oop from Jerret Smith to temporarily stop the bleeding, but they could
not mount a consistent attack. They were able to get the lead down to ten points
on a few occasions, but they were never able to get over that hump. Cold shooting
and the Georgetown defense always seemed stymie any comeback attempt. The Wolverines
shot only 36% from the field for the game, and lost 67-51.
Harris led the home team with 16 points and three assists. For more on
the game, click the following links: Boxscore,
Notes,
Quotes.
A disappointed Amaker addressed the media after the game, upset that his team
was unable to protect its home court against a quality opponent. The Wolverines
now have their backs against the wall heading into their Big Ten opener against
Illinois.
“Certainly a tough loss,” Amaker said. “Coming into the
game today for us was an opportunity for our ball club going up against a really
good team to see if we could get a signature win."
"Illinois is coming off of a loss and I think their record is identical
to ours, 12-3,” he continued. “I imagine both teams are going to
be fighting for their lives on Wednesday. Right now, it's both teams coming
off of a loss to start conference play. It's a critical game for both ball clubs."
Tip-off is scheduled for 8PM Wednesday night at Crisler Arena.