Michigan Basketball Fan’s View: Wolverines Overpowered 64-49 at Ohio State

A University of Michigan basketball fan's notes after a 64-49 defeat at Ohio State:

— Dang. Neither team played its best game, but it's like Ohio State just wears you down, with it's power, reflected in a 37-22 rebound advantage. I thought U-M was hanging in there and all of a sudden the Wolverines were down by double-digits in the second half. Bottom line, even though Coach John Beilein has admirably turned the program around, I just don't yet see Michigan as a Top 25 team of a legitimate Big 10 contender.

— Why so many three-pointers? Michigan was 11 of 28 on two-pointers but a woeful 8 of 25 on triple tries. Ohio State was equally cold from downtown, 3 of 15, but at least the Buckeyes had the common sense not to overly rely on triples.

— There probably was no way under the rules to throw out of the game OSU's Deshaun Thomas when replays revealed he faked an elbow chin hit on a face-up pivot by Michigan's Evan Smotryz, going to the floor as if his jaw had been broken, but his coaches should discipline him for poor sportsmanship.

— Ohio State made 15 of 18 free throws, while Michigan didn't go to the charity stripe until less than three minutes remained. Why is it so difficult to win on the road in the Big Ten? Homer refereeing. I don't believe the refs have a conspiracy or intend to be homers, it's just a natural instinct to seek the favor of the home crowd. The Big Ten needs to look into this and to conduct some seminars for the refs. Old-time NBA fans will recall refs such as Earl Strom and Jake O'Donnell who were noted for taking affirmative steps NOT to be homers.

— Frosh point guard Drew Burke probably will go early (which isn't really early, if you can play) to the NBA. I think he's better than Darius Morris, who went early to the L.A. Lakers and is receiving significant playing time.

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