Michigan regains focus, thumps Iowa

The Michigan Wolverines couldn't control the fact that they were playing an undermanned opponent on Sunday in Ann Arbor. They could, however, control the way they performed. After routing a shorthanded Iowa squad in a game that was over early in the second half, John Beilein's bunch now knows what can happen when it brings a high level of energy to the court.
 An NCAA Tournament bid won't be secured by defeating a Hawkeye team that went into battle today without star post player Cyrus Tate. Just as surely, though, the Wolverines--intent on reaching the Big Dance after an 11-year absence--could certainly lose a March Madness ticket by losing to Iowa. It was very likely that Michigan would win this contest; the Maize and Blue needed not just a positive end result, but an effort that would inspire confidence.

Beilein watched with satisfaction as his team displayed the hunger that was so evidently missing against Indiana a few days earlier.
In last Wednesday's overtime win against the Hoosiers, Michigan played largely listless and lazy basketball, hoisting bad threes and winning very few battles for loose ball against an inferior opponent that nevertheless hustled on every play. The Wolverines escaped Assembly Hall with a victory, but only because of a late rally and some missed Hoosier free throws in the extra period. Wins are always preferable to losses, but one of the great truths of sports is that lackluster effort will catch up with a team before too long. Michigan might have been playing a Cyrus Tate-free Iowa club in Crisler Arena, but frankly, the Wolverines were their own most formidable opponent. Beilein's boys needed to reestablish a winning identity, and find the killer instinct that left the building in the fortunate escape against Indiana.
Mission accomplished for Michigan.
The Wolverines flew around the court in this one-sided affair. The energy from the home team was in evidence from start to finish, as shown by the number of players who contributed to the cause.

In a 32-16 first half that announced Michigan's superiority, the Wolverines had six players with at least one rebound, one assist, and one made field goal. UM gang-rebounded, defended as a team, shot the ball for a high percentage (13-of-25, good for 52 percent), and used better shot selection compared to the Indiana game.
Everyone got into the act, playing with the sense of urgency Michigan will need throughout the season. Guards did dirty work on the glass, and no one slacked off at the defensive end of the floor. Playing with the same blue-collar toughness of the Big Ten's other defensive stalwarts (think Wisconsin or Purdue), the Wolverines gave their fans a blueprint for future success.
 
If there was one particularly vivid snapshot of the Wolverines' rediscovered hunger, it came in a 25-second sequence with just over 10 minutes left in the second half. Walk-on C.J. Lee, a backup guard but a co-captain on the team, dove on the floor at the defensive end to secure a steal. Just moments later, he flew out of bounds to save an offensive rebound and create a scoring opportunity for a teammate. That kind of energy characterized the whole contest, and Michigan men and women can only hope it will remain a constant feature of the next two months.
 
Michigan gained more than a victory today against Iowa. The Wolverines learned an important lesson after their sluggish performance at Indiana. If Beilein's students continue to listen to his directives, the UM program will be headed in the right direction come the middle of March.

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