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Michigan basketball: Takeaways from dominant win over Michigan State

By Christopher Mangum

Michigan's Hunter Dickinson celebrates after a dunk against Michigan State during the second half on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor.220301 Msu Mich Bball 161a
Michigan's Hunter Dickinson celebrates after a dunk against Michigan State during the second half on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor.220301 Msu Mich Bball 161a /
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Michigan Basketball assistant coach Phil Martelli Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan Basketball assistant coach Phil Martelli Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Tuesday night, Michigan basketball squared off against Michigan State in a thrilling in-state rivalry game that was crucial for both teams. Following the Wolverines’ loss to Illinois on Sunday, Michigan needed to add another win to their resume for their tournament hopes.

Michigan basketball also looked for a measure of revenge against the neighboring Spartans, who defeated the Wolverines earlier this season.

Phil Martelli can coach

Coming into Tuesday’s matchup, one of the most significant factors looming in Michigan’s season was the absence of Juwan Howard. After slapping a Wisconsin assistant coach in an on-court brawl last week, Howard has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season. Though this was only a five-game punishment, this stretch of games is crucial for Michigan’s NCAA tournament hopes.

The Wolverines turned to no other than Phil Martelli — a three-year assistant of Juwan Howard at Michigan and former St. Joseph’s head coach.

At St. Joseph’s, Martelli won nearly 450 games and numerous conference titles, conference tournament titles, and finished ranked in five of his seasons, once in the top-five. As one of Howard’s assistants, Martelli has been known as the brains behind many of the Wolverines’ on-court schemes and is a great basketball mind. Martelli, without a doubt, was a factor in Michigan’s Big Ten title run and Elite Eight appearance in 2021.

Since taking over as head coach, Michigan basketball is now 2-1. The one loss came at the hands of a very talented Illinois team. So far, Martelli has a nine-point win over Rutgers and a 17-point win over Michigan State — both enormous wins for Michigan heading into tournament season.

The Wolverines have two games remaining on their schedule: home against No. 24 Iowa and on the road against No. 23 Ohio State. These games are very winnable but are against Quad One opponents and will be great tests for Martelli and Michigan heading into the Big Ten tournament. Michigan fans can sleep easy knowing that the team is in good hands even without their head, man.

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