Michigan basketball destroys Wisconsin, 77-54, to make clear statement on its potential

If there was anyone who wasn’t already sold on Michigan basketball, Tuesday night at Crisler Center would have changed their mind.

The fifth-ranked Wolverines put together one of the most impressive performances in all of college basketball this season in a startling 77-54 blowout win over No. 9 Wisconsin.

Michigan stifled the Badgers’ offense, ending the first half with a 14-0 run over the final 5:27 to take a 17-point lead into halftime. And the beatdown didn’t stop there: The Wolverines opened the second half with a 29-3 run to extend their lead to 40.

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Four different players reached double digits, led by Mike Smith, who scored 16 points on 6 of 9 shooting with six assists. Franz Wagner added 15 on 7 of 10 shooting, while Isaiah Livers scored 13.

With the win, Michigan (11-0, 6-0 Big Ten) created even more breathing room at the top of the conference standings.

Defense steps up

Michigan’s defense has improved by leaps and bounds since the start of this season, and the Wolverines saved their best for the nation’s 10th-most efficient offense.

Wisconsin, a veteran-laden team, looked shell-shocked at times as it tried to score against a confident and aggressive defense. The Badgers entered the game with the third-lowest turnover percentage in the nation, but had seven turnovers alone in the first half, including several that turned into breakaway dunks or layups for the Wolverines.

Wagner alone had four steals, disrupting passing lanes and poking the ball loose. U-M also set the tone early with six blocks in the first half alone.

It was surprising to watch experienced players like guard Brad Davison and forward Nate Reuvers toss up wild shots that had no chance of going in; the senior duo combined to shoot just 3 of 14 in the first half.

One remarkable stat: Between the 5:27 mark of the first half and the 12:16 mark of the second half, Wisconsin made just one field goal and scored three points.

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Livers plays one of the best games of his career

Livers has played a lot of basketball in his four years at Michigan. Yet it wouldn’t be unreasonable to consider Tuesday’s performance as the best game of his career.

In a high-stakes matchup, the senior was locked in from the opening tip. Wisconsin tried posting up Reuvers on Livers on the first possession, only for Livers — who gives up four inches in height — to block the shot.

Livers was simply everywhere. He scored U-M’s first four points, then hit two big 3s as the Wolverines established their first-half lead. He shut down whoever he was guarding and his second block of the game came at the rim. He pulled down five rebounds.

And he also had two crucial assists: One to Chaundee Brown for a 3, and another to Brandon Johns for a corner 3 after Livers crossed over his defender and made him fall down. The game clearly meant a lot to Livers, and his energy and passion carried over to his teammates.

Their ceiling is clear

Michigan’s non-conference schedule was not particularly strong, but the Wolverines have ended any questions about the validity of their strong start. They have now played three consecutive ranked opponents, with each team ranked higher than the last, and have won by an increasingly more decisive fashion. Michigan beat Northwestern by 19, then blew out Minnesota by 25 and on Tuesday night, dismantled the Badgers, who should still be considered one of the better teams in the nation.

It’s clear that the Wolverines have all the tools to contend for a Big Ten title and national title. They have a deep rotation of players who understand their roles and play unselfishly; they have two players in Eli Brooks and Wagner who could be considered the best defenders in the conference at their respective positions; they have a star freshman in Dickinson, who entered the game averaging 18 points; and they have a coaching staff that has proven it can unlock this team’s full potential on a nightly basis. There’s still a long way to go, but right now, Michigan is playing as well as any other team in the country.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball destroys Wisconsin, 77-54, to make clear statement