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Big Ten: Pretenders Or Contenders?

By Aaron Ferguson

Feb 22, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) brings the ball up court during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Feb 22, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) brings the ball up court during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /
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Nov 25, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) shoots for three during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats at Barclays Center. Villanova Wildcats won 60-55. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) shoots for three during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats at Barclays Center. Villanova Wildcats won 60-55. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Michigan Wolverines

Big Ten Record: 7-4
Key Wins: vs. MD 70-67
Key Losses: @ PUR 87-70, @ IOWA 82-71, vs. IND 80-67, vs. MSU 89-73

Pretenders

Michigan has had their ups and downs during the Big Ten season, and it’s warranted. They have played 10 games without Caris LeVert, who has been out since he stepped on an opponent’s foot in a Dec. 30 game against Illinois, according to MLive.com. Michigan has down a good job without their leading scorer.

All things considered, nobody would expect Michigan to be 7-4 with LeVert missing 10 games and Spike Albrecht, who retired after struggling with surgery-repaired hips, according to the Detroit Free Press. Head coach John Beilein has used eight players in at least 22 of their 24 games this season. It has been a struggle without LeVert, the team’s leading scorer, on the floor.

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    • The Wolverines were able to get a signature win against Maryland, who has consistently been in the top five in the country. They played well defensively, holding the Terps to 25 percent shooting from three-point range. Michigan had three scorers in double figures, and were led by Zak Irvin’s 22 points. In what was their most complete game of the season, Michigan showed their potential even without LeVert.

    If LeVert can get healthy, the Wolverines have a nice set-up to make a strong push to the top of the Big Ten. In the last stretch of games, Michigan will meet Purdue, Maryland and Iowa before the regular season ends. Two of the three games are at home, where the Wolverines are 10-2 this season.

    Michigan is going to be as good as their defense is. Without LeVert, it hurts the stability and strength of the defense. Their chances to ascend to the top of the Big Ten standings are helped by the fact that they play three teams ahead of them, but they need LeVert to be healthy to get there.

    Next: Michigan State Spartans