Michigan Basketball: Wolverines Prove No Match for Ohio State in Big Ten Tourney

Ohio State 77, Michigan 55

Despite splitting its Big Ten Conference games with Ohio State, Michigan proved no match for the Buckeyes and were outplayed from the onset of Saturday's Big Ten Tournament semifinal. The Wolverines may have been slightly fatigued from their hard-fought overtime battle against Minnesota, but whatever the case may have been, Michigan wasn't at its best. 

Michigan's guards, on whom they rely for consistent offensive production, didn't bring their best for the Wolverines. After scoring a combined 50 points the previous game against Minnesota, Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. put up a total 18 points, which left Michigan scrambling to put up points against a tough Ohio State defense. 

The game's key matchup—Jordan Morgan against Jared Sullinger—worked out in Ohio State's favor, as Sullinger got to Morgan immediately and ended with a game-high 24 points with six rebounds. As for Morgan, the sophomore forward didn't fare well offensively as well and ended the game with three points. 

Unlike Michigan's previous games against Ohio State this season, the Wolverines weren't in the game for very long and found themselves down by double digits, 34-21, at the half. Michigan never had the lead and was down by 28 late in the game, which wasn't quite the game the team had hoped for going into the NCAA Tournament next week. 

"When I feel that, I understand that my teammates are going to come down to me," Jared Sullinger said. "I started passing it out and (Michigan) didn't know what to do. I think it's awesome when you can keep a defense on its toes."

As for Michigan's response to the rough loss, coach John Beilein left all the credit to Ohio State.

"I've seen some really good teams that have played some really good games," he said. "That's as good of a game as I've ever seen a college team play."

"We could not stop them, really," Beilein added. 

Ohio State will proceed to the Big Ten Tournament final Sunday against Michigan State. 

The Numbers

	FG%	3P%	REB	STL	TO	PF
Michigan	30.9	16.0	35	6	18	14
Ohio State	49.2	35.7	34	11	11	17

Top Performers

Michigan: Tim Hardaway Jr. (13 PTS, 4 REB)

Ohio State: Jared Sullinger (24 PTS, 6 REB, 2 BLK)

What's Next?

While Michigan's Big Ten Tournament hopes have vanished after Saturday afternoon's rough loss, the Wolverines will now prepare for the NCAA Tournament. They will have a game next sometime next week, when and against who depends upon the selection committee's deliberation on Sunday. 

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