Gophers suffer another blowout loss on road
Michigan guard Chaundee Brown Jr. (15) defends Minnesota guard Marcus Carr (5) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.[(AP Photo/Tony Ding)]
Freshman Hunter Dickinson scored a season-high 28 points as No. 10 Michigan pulled away and beat No. 16 Minnesota 82-57 on Wednesday night to remain unbeaten.
The Wolverines (10-0, 5-0 Big Ten) had a 19-point edge in the second half after leading by just six points after a sloppy first half.
Dickinson led the way before and after halftime, making 12 of 15 shots and grabbing eight rebounds.
The Golden Gophers (10-3, 3-3) made just 32% of their shots, and only Marcus Carr scored in double figures. Carr, though, was 5 of 16 from the field and was held to 14 points after entering the game averaging 22-plus points.
Isaiah Livers scored 14 points and Franz Wagner had 12 points for the Wolverines, who made 57% of their shots. Michigan finished with 13 turnovers after a flurry of giveaways in the first half allowed the Gophers to stay close for 20 minutes.
Dickinson made the first basket in both halves and many others in another impressive performance.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
The undefeated Wolverines should get consideration to be ranked higher in the AP Top 25 with seven teams ahead of them that have at least one loss, including four with two setbacks. If the Gophers don’t pull off an upset at No. 5 Iowa on Friday night, they may plummet out of the poll.
BIG PICTURE
Minnesota: To contend in the Big Ten, the Gophers have to figure out how to overcome their road woes. They fell to 0-3 away, and each setback has been by double digits. Minnesota is 10-0 at Williams Arena.
Michigan: Dickinson is becoming a star that is tough to top. Expectations were modest for him entering the season, but he has become one of the Big Ten’s top players with the way he makes shots and alters them on defense.
UP NEXT
Minnesota: The Gophers play the Hawkeyes on the road Sunday. Minnesota won the previous matchup at home in overtime.
Michigan: The Wolverines will be idle for nearly a week because Penn State has paused activities due to positive tests for COVID-19 within the program. Their previously scheduled matchup on Saturday was postponed to a date to be determined. Michigan’s next scheduled game is Tuesday at home against No. 8 Wisconsin.