Defense leads No. 7 Michigan by Purdue
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Isaiah Livers matched his season high with 22 points, Eli Brooks added 11 and No. 7 Michigan relied on a staunch defense to beat Purdue 70-53 on Friday night.
The Wolverines (13-1, 8-1 Big Ten) maintained their stranglehold on the conference lead by winning their fifth straight in the series.
Trevion Williams had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Boilermakers, who never led as their four-game winning streak came to an end. Purdue (11-6, 5-4) played without guard Sasha Stefanovic, its top 3-point shooter, after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Michigan took full advantage of absence by limiting Purdue to 32.1% shooting and shutting out the Boilermakers from 3-point range in the first half as they took a 34-21 lead.
Purdue made its first two 3s in the second half and cut the deficit to 42-32 with 14:58 to play. But the Wolverines answered with six straight points.
Big picture
Michigan: Yes, the Wolverines have one of the nation’s highest-scoring offenses. But when Michigan’s shooters have an off-night, their defense is equally impressive.
It’s a combination few teams possess, which is why the Wolverines could be a legitimate Final Four contender.
Purdue: While the Boilermakers had been the Big Ten’s hottest team, they sputtered without Stefanovic on the perimeter. Big Ten protocols will force Stefanovic out of at least the next two games, and coach Matt Painter needs to find a solution – fast.
Poll implications
With wins over Maryland and at Purdue this week, the Wolverines won’t go anywhere but up in the Top 25.