Danny Wolf scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, leading Michigan to a decisive 78-53 victory over No. 22 Xavier in the Fort Myers Tip-Off on Wednesday night. This performance showcased Wolf’s growing impact on the Wolverines’ offense.
Tre Donaldson contributed 13 points for Michigan (6-1), who maintained control of the game, heading into halftime with a 41-30 lead.
For Xavier (6-1), Ryan Conwell led the scoring with 19 points, while Zach Freemantle added 14. However, the Musketeers struggled offensively, shooting just 20-of-58 (34.5%) from the field, compared to Michigan’s 30-of-61 (49.2%), which included a solid 50% from beyond the arc.
In a nostalgic moment, former Michigan coach John Beilein watched as the Wolverines executed a dominant 19-3 run, extending their lead to 38-21.
Xavier’s first-half woes included 14 turnovers, while Michigan capitalized with six steals, showcasing their defensive prowess.
Wolf’s first-half performance was particularly impressive, as he scored 16 points and hit four 3-pointers, setting the tone for the Wolverines.
Takeaways
Xavier: The Musketeers must address their scoring inconsistencies. After a 6:45 scoring drought against South Carolina, they managed only one basket in a 7:15 stretch during Michigan’s run. Additionally, they only managed 23 points in the second half, highlighting a need for offensive improvement.
Michigan: As they prepare for Big Ten play in less than a week, the Wolverines appear well-equipped with a balanced approach featuring 10 steals, 38 points in the paint, and an effective 3-point shooting percentage of 11-of-22.
Key moment
After Xavier narrowed the gap to 59-51 and forced a missed shot, Michigan’s Will Tschetter secured an offensive rebound and found L.J. Cason, who hit a crucial 3-pointer to restore a double-digit lead for the Wolverines.
From that point on, Xavier could not close the gap to single digits again, sealing the Wolverines’ victory.
Key stats
Xavier’s 19 turnovers significantly hampered their chances, while Michigan managed only 10.
Up next
Xavier will host South Carolina State on Sunday, looking to bounce back from this defeat.
Meanwhile, Michigan will travel to face No. 15 Wisconsin on Tuesday night to kick off their Big Ten schedule.
