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Michigan aces its first test without Juwan Howard in key win over Rutgers
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Michigan is in need of some key wins to land in the NCAA Tournament. In their first game without head coach Juwan Howard, the Wolverines secured one of those with a 71-62 win over Rutgers.
The Scarlet Knights came into Wednesday’s game off a loss to Purdue but still riding an impressive late-season surge in the B1G. Prior to the game vs. Michigan, Rutgers maintained an outside shot at earning a share of the regular-season B1G title. Now, that dream is all but over.
The game was close at halftime with the Wolverines holding a slim 32-30 lead at the break. In the second half, it was an efficient offense and career-high night from freshman Caleb Houstan that proved to be the difference.
Houstan finished the game with 21 points and led the Wolverines with 5-for-9 from behind the arc. He had 5 of Michigan’s 7 made 3-point field goals in the game, helping to offset a 1-for-5 night from behind the arc by Eli Brooks. Hunter Dickinson added a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Rutgers faltered in Ann Arbor as some of the key contributors of the Scarlet Knights were particularly limited. Point guard Paul Mulcahy dealt with foul trouble all game long and never seemed to get going while Geo Baker was ineffective.
Baker and Mulcahy shot a combined 4-for-19 from the field with Rutgers shooting 2-for-12 as a team from 3-point range. Ron Harper Jr. led the Scarlet Knights with 19 points and Cliff Omoruyi continued his strong play with 17 points.
Rutgers will move on to face Wisconsin, Indiana and Penn State. Michigan will finish the season with games against Illinois, Michigan State, Iowa and Ohio State.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.