ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Through the first month of college basketball, there’s been no one better than the Michigan Wolverines, with the maize and blue taking a minute to get going before running roughshod over pretty much every team that’s come in their way.
Michigan basketball is ranked No. 1 in NET rankings, in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, via KenPom, and No. 2 in the AP Top 25. Up next, the Wolverines host the KenPom No. 35 team in the country, 7-1 Villanova — another team that’s blown out nearly every team it’s faced.
We’re up in the press area of sold-out Crisler Center. Follow along as we give live updates to the game.
Some media reactions
Halftime
Cadeau holds onto the ball and fires a 3 to put Michigan up by 30 going into the half, 53-23.
Here is the current box score:
1st Half – Timeout
Lendeborg misses a couple of 3 attempts and then is fouled. Cadeau gets a floater to go, Michigan up 25.
LJ Cason makes another insane-looking bucket in the lane to put Michigan up, 50-23. Villanova has been on a six-plus-minute scoring drought.
(31.5 seconds remaining in 1st half)
1st Half – Under 4 timeout
Even when Villanova finally scores, Michigan punches back, not allowing the Wildcats to get into any sort of rhythm. The teams traded baskets for a moment, but Trey McKenney had an air-ball from 3. Villanova strikes back with a 3, and it’s cut from a 23-point lead to just 18 points.
But Will Tschetter scored and Michigan forced a quick shot (and miss). However, Aday Mara took a 3 attempt and missed himself. Yaxel Lendeborg is called for a foul while face-guarding a Wildcat, but the Wolverines had only had two fouls previously. Devin Askew put McKenney on the line, where he missed the front end, but hit the second. Michigan up 21.
The trap turns Villanova over, but Michigan was running wild on the other end. However, once the Wildcats took over, they traveled, though Roddy Gayle Jr. missed his wide-open 3 attempt. He committed his second personal foul quickly on the other end.
Gayle made up for it with an emphatic slam dunk on the other end.
Michigan 46, Villanova 23. Michigan is shooting 61% from the floor, while Villanova is only shootin 32%. The Wolverines are plus-six in rebounding and only have two turnovers to the Wildcats’ eight.
(3:14 remaining in 1st half)
1st Half – Under eight timeout
Michigan’s defense continues to stifle Villanova, having forced six turnovers. The Wolverines also have three steals. Everything is going the maize and blue’s way, as a rebound leads to an out-of-control pass downcourt, wrangled in by LJ Cason, who makes an improbable basket in the lane — only for him to make a layup on the ensuing possession while falling down.
Will Tschetter drains a 3 and is fouled in the process. He’ll have a free throw attempt after the break. Michigan now up by 21, 38-16.
(7:58 remaining in the 1st half)
1st Half – Villanova timeout
The Villanova 7-0 run ended on the ensuing Michigan basketball possession, with a floater by Roddy Gayle Jr. Trey McKenney hits a 3 on the other end, forcing a Villanova timeout. 29-16, Michigan.
(10:14 remaining in 1st half)
1st Half – Under 12 update
Michigan’s 9-0 run comes to an end, but the Wolverines still have a solid lead. Despite the Wildcats scoring, the Wolverines’ offense continues to be on fire, and the defense stifling. However, Villanova continues to fire from beyond the arc with great success, keeping the Wildcats in the game. A 3 with an and-one going into the break indicates Nova is going on a run.
Michigan 24, Villanova 15, and going to the line.
(11 minutes left in the first half)
1st Half – Timeout
Cadeau scores first, and Michigan got things done on the defensive end. Morez Johnson Jr. gets an and-one opportunity, but misses the free throw, but the ball went out of bounds on Villanova. Nimari Burnett hit a 3-pointer, and as the Wildcats drove the court, Yaxel Lendeborg comes up with the steal and the wide open jam.
Crisler Center erupted unlike what we’ve seen all year. Michigan up, 19-7.
(14:10 remaining in first half)
1st Half – Under 16 update
Villanova is certainly playing a tough defense and the Wolverines have to work for everything they’re getting. The open lanes aren’t there, but the Wolverines are finding a way.
The game opened with Michigan and Villanova trading 3s, the Wildcats took a one-point advantage on the foul line. The maize and blue doubled them up, 8-4, but a Villanova 3 cut the lead. Michigan is up, 10-7.
Elliot Cadeau leads with five points.
(15:06 remaining in the first half).
Starting lineup
Your starting lineup today:
What channel is Michigan vs. Villanova on today?
Michigan vs. Villanova will be broadcast nationally on FS1 with Jason Benetti and Bill Raftery on the call. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Michigan vs. Villanova time today
The Michigan vs Villanova game starts at 6:30 p.m. EST from Crisler Center in Ann Arbor.
Michigan vs Villanova predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, December 9
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This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan basketball vs. Villanova: live updates, score, highlights
Reporting by Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
