Michigan (15-4) traveled to East Lansing to play rival Michigan State (16-3), and left with a victory by a score of 82-72.
After the loss to Purdue on Tuesday, a win over the No. 4 ranked Spartans is a great add to Michigan’s resume.
Behind Moe Wagner’s 27 points, the Wolverines upset the Spartans on their home floor.
Gauging Isaiah Livers’ first start
Early in the game Livers got switched onto Miles Bridges. This felt like it would set the tone for Michigans freshman. Bridges went baseline and Livers stayed strong, forcing an MSU turnover.
He only finished the first half with 2 points and 2 rebounds, but he held his own defensively.
In the end, Michigans new starter had 6 points (3-5) and 2 rebounds.
Underappreciated Zavier Simpson
Michigans sophomore point guard doesn’t get the respect that he deserves.
He is a hounding defender that has shown his ability to knock down shots and take care of the ball.
Simpson also controls the ball great in transition. Watch how fast he moves with the ball, and the great pass he gives to Livers:
The Michigan guard finished the upset with 16 points (5-9), 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, a block, and most importantly, 0 turnovers.
Keys to Michigan Victory
The Wolverines are known as a team that doesn’t turn the ball over, but they don’t play teams like MSU every week. This MSU defense is athletic, long, and gives a lot of teams problems.
Michigan had only 7 turnovers.
Free throw shooting has been somewhat of a struggle with this Michigan team.
Michigan shot 80 percent from the line.
Rebounding was a battle that should’ve been won by the Spartans on paper.
Michigan had 11 offensive rebounds and Michigan state had 8.
The Wolverines did everything they had to do to get a win on the road in East Lansing.
Player of the Game – Moritz Wagner
Despite getting taken off the floor due to fouls (And very questionable fouls), Moe Wagner was destroying any defender that was on him.
He got a ton of shots out of picks, and he converted. The German native had 27 points (8-13), 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal.
Wagner showed off every facet of his game.
No. 13 was 3-4 from three.
Here, he shows how good he is at putting the ball on the floor and getting to the bucket:
Baby Dirk with his back to the basket:
Here is a link to the full box score.
The next time the Wolverines take the floor is on Monday the 15th at 6:30, in Crisler, against the Maryland Terrapins.
