Sports
Michigan basketball game vs. McNeese State: Time, streaming info – Detroit Free Press
After a 10-day break, the Michigan basketball team will be back in action Friday night, looking to get back into the win column.
The Wolverines were left with a sour taste in their mouth over the Christmas break after losing a crushing 111-106 double overtime game to the Florida Gators in the Jumpman Classic. It was Michigan’s sixth loss of the season, but perhaps more frustratingly, their fourth loss by five points or less.
Close losses have become a staple of the Howard-led Wolverines over the last few seasons and have plagued them again so far this year, despite their efforts to correct the issue over the offseason.
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Since the start of the 2022-23 season, U-M is 0-8 in games decided by three points or less and is now 2-14 in such games during the Juwan Howard era. After the loss to Florida, the Wolverines are also 4-16 in games that finished within six points or went to overtime since the start of last season.
“We didn’t have enough to win a 15-round fight,” acting head coach Phil Martelli said after the loss to the Hoosiers on Dec. 5. “Had enough to win a 12-round fight, but every night in the Big Ten, there’s gonna be a 15-round fight and a championship fight.”
The Wolverines will have one final nonconference tune-up before Big Ten play starts back up for the remainder of the season. While McNeese State shouldn’t provide the same test as some of the other tough teams Michigan has played this year, the Wolverines would be silly to take them lightly. McNeese State has already won 10 games this year, including their first game of the year over VCU, and is one win shy of passing last year’s win total of 11.
The Cowboys are coached now by Will Wade, who ran a prominent but occasionally problematic program with LSU. Wade spent five years at LSU and was let go during the 2021-22 season, despite a 22-11 record that season and his team on the verge of making the NCAA tournament. Wade was accused of five Level I NCAA violations during his time at LSU, but was a proven winner, finishing 108-54 during his time.
The Action Network has Michigan listed as a 10-point favorite over McNeese State.
The Wolverines’ nonconference matchup with McNeese State will not be available on regular cable television but can be watched online on Big Ten+.
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For Michigan’s full 2023-24 schedule, click here.
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