World News – USA – Michigan basketball looks strong in season opener 96-82 win over Bowling Green

Michigan basketball scored an opening season win of 96-82 over Bowling Green, shot over 50% off the field and knocked down 10 3s.

Five players in the Wolverines reached double digits, led by Chaundee Brown (19 points), Isaiah Livers (17) and Mike Smith (16). .

Michigan’s starting line-up was as expected: Smith, Brooks, Wagner, Livers and Austin Davis. But the Wolverines went to the bench early and often – especially in the forecourt. In the first half, Davis, Hunter Dickinson, and Brandon Johns Jr. . all appeared in the middle. Coach Juwan Howard wasn’t afraid of moving to a smaller line-up with Smith, Brooks, Wagner, Livers and Terrance Williams. His rotation is likely to get smaller as the season progresses, but Howard has shown a willingness to try different lineups for the start.

Ten different players saw the playing time in the first half. Livers played 35 minutes at team level, and Brooks and Smith played 32 and 32 respectively. 31 minutes.

It was all Smith in the first half. And then Brown’s shot on goal in the second half helped Michigan pull back. The Wolverines have received significant contributions from both additions to the Transfer Portal, and both Smith and Brown look like key contributors to this team. Smith looks and played like Michigan’s point guard. He had six points and three assists in his first 10 minutes and ended up with 16 points and eight assists. Smith was in control and found open marksmen throughout; During the quick break, he also found open teammates.

Brown made good on the news he had for reporters earlier this fall when he said he was a better shot than his stated 3-point percentage of 31%. He missed his first attempt on Wednesday night – then he made the next four and ended up with five threes in the second half. Brown scored eight points in a row in the second half and then made a big 3 after Bowling Green cut Michigan’s lead to nine with about eight minutes left. He didn’t start but will play an important role as the sixth man.

Michigan’s offense was similar to last season, when the Wolverines claimed ball screens on virtually every half-court possession. The only difference: they didn’t have a Zavier Simpson to work from those screens. But for that game at least, Michigan didn’t sense Simpson was absent. Smith and Brooks combined for 12 originals. Wagner and Livers each had an opportunity to handle the ball and execute the offensive. The Wolverines rarely made competitive shots and found many open 3s, and despite a cold start, those 3s eventually began to sink. Michigan wanted to attack in transition and was effective. The Wolverines scored a robust 1. 35 points per possession and assisted in 23 of 33 field goals scored. This is as good a start to the post-Simpson era as you could have asked for.

Contact Orion Sang at osang @ freepress. com. Follow him on Twitter @orion_sang. Read more about the Michigan Wolverines and subscribe to our Wolverines newsletter

Michigan Wolverines Men’s Basketball, Bowling Green Falcons Soccer, Big Ten Conference, Juwan Howard, Mid-American Conference, College Basketball