The LSU Tigers beat the Michigan Wolverines in the first round of the Maui Invitational, 77-75.
In the first round of the Maui Invitational, Michigan was paired up with the LSU Tigers. the Wolverines had a ton of problems on offense. At the beginning of the game, there were a lot of bad shots taken because the shot clock got down so low, and one possession that ended in a turnover when the shot clock expired. Outside of Charles Matthews and Moe Wagner, Michigan struggled to get anything going. Conversely, LSU were making contested everything.? The Wolverines looked completely disorganized and confused at the end of the game.?Matthews and Brooks both had crucial turnovers at the end of the game to make it close. After that MAAR took a contested three and then another contested three for the last shot of the game that missed. Michigan’s final few possessions were a disaster.
After watching the game, I think this LSU team will turn some heads this year. Freshman guard Tremont Waters was a problem. He dropped 21 points (7-13) and hit a step back three that swung the momentum in Louisiana State’s favor.
BREAKING! We’ve gone final here in #Maui @umichbball @LSUBasketball pic.twitter.com/k4fedhe2Xp
— Maui Invitational (@MauiInv) November 21, 2017
Charles Matthews and Moe Wagner
Charles Matthews and Moe Wagner were the only Michigan players that brought anything significant to this game in terms of scoring. Defenders simply couldn’t handle Wagner fading after a pick, and Matthews putting the ball on the floor. Moe knocked down a ton of shots and when he missed Matthews was under the bucket looking for put-backs.
Moe finally started knocking down jump shots. Obviously the big man is a good shooter and it was only a matter of time, but it was good to see it in a game where Michigan really needed it. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough. He will be an invaluable weapon, as most expected him to be.
Charles Matthews had the best game of his college career thus far. Matthews had 28 points (10-17), 8 boards, and 3 assists. This LSU team has some legitimate athletes on the team, but Matthews was the best athlete on the floor. We also got to see Matthews with his back to the basket quite a bit. He gets so much bounce on his shot that it is almost impossible to block.
Another chapter in the point guard fiasco
Zavier Simpson and Jaaron Simmons brought almost nothing to the team this game. Neither of the guards had any points, and both had turnovers.
Eli Brooks was by far the best point guard on the floor, and he looked the most confident, despite being a true freshman. Brooks didn’t play a perfect game though. He had a crucial turnover at the end of the game that LSU got an easy run out from.
This jostling of minutes should continue, regrettably.
Where does this loss mean for Michigan?
At this point, it is not entirely clear. This would be considered a bad loss at this point in the season, but I think this LSU team is very underrated. As I previously stated, LSU guard Tremont Wade is the real deal. The guy was making circus shots. Their team has some real athletes, and they knocked down some ridiculous shots. Michigan should bounce back, but they need another guy to step up if Wagner, Matthews, or MAAR has an off night shooting – like MAAR did this game.
No team is at peak performance this early in the season. Michigan looks really stale on offense, but the guys should get the hang of it.
Michigan will play Chaminade – who lost to Notre Dame in the first round – tomorrow (Or this morning… it’s really late… or early).
Go Blue