As a team that naturally pushes the tempo, the No. 7 Michigan men’s basketball team plays with a contagious energy up and down the court. And Tuesday against Middle Tennessee State, the Wolverines injected a little more juice into their veins.
Quickly running the length of the floor, Michigan (4-0) pressed the Blue Raiders (3-1) to their breaking point. Though the game stayed close through the first half, MTSU struggled to keep up with the Wolverines’ activity level as they pulled away in the second half, winning, 86-61.
Michigan’s energy was evident early in its 11-to-0 run that headlined its 36-point first half. Making shots to build its lead, the Wolverines effortlessly shared the ball and found open shots while keeping the Blue Raiders on its heels. On the glass, Michigan gave itself second chance after second chance as it tipped misses out to teammates and boxed out on the offensive boards. Sophomore guard L.J. Cason punctuated that run with a fast-break dunk, slamming the ball home and screaming emphatically to force a MTSU timeout.
With the Blue Raiders’ defense out of sorts, the Wolverines poured fuel on the fire as the second half dragged on. Graduate forward Yaxel Lendeborg was at the center of Michigan’s sustained run, torching MTSU inside and outside of the paint with 18 points in the second half. This effort led the Wolverines to a blowout second half, leaving their eventual win in no doubt.
Coming out of the gates looking to play with infectious activity, Michigan piled on the Blue Raiders on both sides of the ball. Pressuring with tough defense on the ball and quick ball movement up the floor, the Wolverines had no problem dismantling MTSU
