Michigan's defense suffocates Gophers in Ann Arbor

The undefeated Wolverines led by as many as 37 points in the second half.

No. 10 Michigan used a stingy effort on the defensive end of the floor to stifle the No. 16 Minnesota Golden Gopher men's basketball team on Wednesday night, sending the Gophers to an 82-57 defeat.

The first half was a struggle for Minnesota as they dealt with a tenacious Wolverine defense. With Michigan not allowing the Gophers to get to the paint, Minnesota shot just 33 percent from the floor in the first half.

Even as the Gophers were sloppy on the floor with eight turnovers, Marcus Carr was able to keep them in the game. The senior point guard scored 10 of his 14 points in the first half to send Minnesota into the half down 32-26.

.@GopherMBB got Marcus Carr and they don't. 🤷‍♂️

Jumper so pure: pic.twitter.com/CiTAmN2TZp

— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) January 7, 2021

While the Gophers were able to keep pace in the first half, Michigan took control in the second. The Wolverines dominated the Gophers by building a lead that swelled to as big as 37 points. With Hunter Dickinson leading the way with 28 points and eight rebounds, Michigan cruised to stay undefeated at 10-0.

Meanwhile, the Gophers fell to 10-3 (3-3 Big Ten) with the loss and will travel to Iowa on Sunday afternoon.