After Michigan’s men’s basketball team’s defeat to Rutgers on February 3, there were several concerning aspects evident from the statistics. Notably, the Wolverines committed 19 turnovers and allowed 40 points in the paint to the Scarlet Knights. Equally noteworthy was Michigan’s bench contribution of only 11 points compared to Rutgers’ five, an area where Michigan consistently falls short.
Throughout 15 Big Ten matchups, Michigan has only managed to claim the bench point advantage three times. Out of those instances, they won two games, but the third match against Rutgers saw a second-half collapse.
This trend correlates with Michigan’s overall conference performance, having secured only three victories. In the recent game, despite a promising first half where Michigan’s bench condedication and commitment. Although unconventional, this suggestion highlights the dissatisfaction with the current bench players’ performances.
The statistics reveal the inadequacy of Michigtributed nine points while holding Rutgers scoreless, the reserves faltered in the second half, managing just two points while allowing five from the Scarlet Knights.
Michigan’s head coach, Juwan Howard, expressed frustration with the team’s performance and contemplated the idea of utilizing walk-on players due to their evident an’s bench players, averaging only 14.23 points per game and playing just 22.6% of total minutes, ranking poorly both within the Big Ten and nationally. However, in a subsequent game against then-No. 11 Wisconsin, the bench players heeded Howard’s words and significantly contributed to Michigan’s upset victory.
Despite this positive outcome, it remains an exception rather than a turning point, as subsequent games showcased regression in bench performance. In losses like the one against Michigan State, where the bench contributed only two points compared to the Spartans’ 23, the bench’s shortcomings become even more evident.
Even in games where the point differential from the bench is less pronounced, the weakness remains apparent upon closer examination. For instance, in the blowout loss to Illinois, the lack of bench depth contributed to the game slipping out of Michigan’s reach, with the substitutes unable to make a meaningful impact.
Opposing teams have begun to exploit Michigan’s shallow bench rotation, focusing their defensive efforts primarily on neutralizing the starting lineup, knowing they won’t face significant threats from the bench players. This places additional pressure on the starters and limits Michigan’s overall effectiveness on the court.
In summary, Michigan’s bench problem poses a significant challenge for the team, with no clear solution in sight. While utilizing walk-on players may address some concerns about dedication, it doesn’t fundamentally resolve the issue of bench depth and performance inconsistency.
