COLUMBUS, Ohio — Michigan left no doubt on Sunday afternoon, as the No. 2 Wolverines (22-1, 11-1 Big Ten) rolled past Ohio State (15-8, 7-6), 82-61, at the Schottenstein Center.
Behind a dominant performance on the glass and efficient scoring on all three levels, Michigan controlled the game from start to finish. The Wolverines outrebounded the Buckeyes 44-31 and held clear advantages in both two-point and three-point scoring.
Below are highlights from the postgame comments of Michigan head coach Dusty May, along with big men Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara. Full press conference videos are also available below.
Dusty May
+ Ohio State’s combination of Bruce Thornton, Devin Royal, and John Mobley Jr. is as good as any 1-2-3 combo in the league. Michigan’s big three outrebounded Ohio State as a team. May said their effort is there, and the spacing and ball movement have settled in. The players are finding another level of connection and are in the flow, which allows them to rebound effectively. The size, strength, and athleticism allow them to do that.”Most importantly our determination on the offensive glass has been next level, and we need to be a great offensive rebounding team.”
+ On the difference in preparing for Ohio State this time around, May said their approach schematically doesn’t change much from opponent to opponent, but they prepare for irregularities. They did a nice job on Mobley Jr. in this game after struggling in the first matchup. Wisconsin wasn’t a good matchup for Michigan, and May said Michigan isn’t a good matchup for Ohio State because of its size and roster construction.
+ On the bigs facilitating offense, May said the bigs connect the group, and when they find rhythm, they rebound better, maintain better floor balance and flow, and find matchup advantages much quicker.
+ On the rivalry, May said he grew up in the “heyday of Ohio State basketball,” so he has a lot of respect for Ohio State and the program. Combined with the football rivalry, it makes for a fun and healthy matchup. “I love the fact of playing the traditional Big Ten teams, as many as we can. There’s still a bit of nostalgia in playing Ohio State twice.”
Yaxel Lendeborg
+ On the difference between this game and the last time they faced Ohio State, Lendeborg said their maturity was much improved this time around, and that has been an emphasis for the team. Ohio State is a good team, but “they don’t belong in the same conversation as us.” Michigan had to maintain its composure and “get this one for Roddy Gayle Jr.”
+ Lendeborg said Aday Mara set the tone with his finishing, aggressiveness, and ability to will his way into the paint in the second half.
+ On getting downhill in the second half, Lendeborg said they weren’t aggressive enough in the first half but made the adjustments.
Aday Mara
+ On his success shooting the three in this game after not hitting a three so far all season, Mara said he had to regain confidence in that shot and was happy he was able to contribute in that way.
+ On not losing on the road, Mara said preparation and intensity from the opening tip make all the difference.
WATCH
Photo via Ohio State Dept. of Athletics.
