Michigan’s bench dropped a measly eight points on 2-for-12 shooting in their 85-77 loss to UConn in Boston, and that’s the gut punch from their first defeat of the season. Forget the final score for a second, because when your reserves are that cold, it tells you everything about why the Wolverines are already struggling against top-tier teams. This wasn’t just an off night for a few guys; this was a glaring hole that UConn exploited big time.
The UConn Breakdown Is UGLY
That game against UConn was brutal, no sugarcoating it. Beyond the bench’s dismal performance, the Wolverines shot a pathetic 25% from downtown. You can’t beat the best teams in the country with that kind of air ball festival. But wait, there’s more. They racked up 27 fouls, handing UConn 36 free-throw attempts. That’s just gifting points, plain and simple. Even starting guard Trey McKenney went scoreless for an entire half, which is just wild to think about. Coach Mike Boynton Jr. didn’t mince words either, saying, “I don’t think we have somebody we think can come in and just , like Trey came off the bench last year, he was a scorer. L.J. Cason came off the bench last year. We knew we were going to get points from those guys. I think this year it’s still kind of a wait and see because we don’t have a bunch of guys who’ve done it so far.”
It got real bad late in the first half. Both teams had starters on the bench with foul trouble, but the difference was stark. UConn’s reserves went on a 9-0 run, turning a tight four-point game into a 13-point lead for them. Michigan, meanwhile, went scoreless for the final 4:19 of the half. That’s where the game started slipping away, and it’s all on the lack of punch off the bench.
Where Did All the Depth Go?
Remember last season’s national title team? That squad was so special because they had absolutely reliable depth. We’re talking multiple reserves who could hit double figures on any given night. There was barely any drop-off when they went to the second unit, and those guys often helped create separation. But now? Two of those key pieces, Roddy Gayle Jr. and Trey McKenney, are starting. L.J. Cason, who brought instant offense, is gone. Will Tschetter, who sparked the team with energy, is gone.
So, who’s stepping up? That’s what Michigan is trying to figure out right now as roles are defined in these early stages of the season. Losing star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. to a torn ACL was a massive blow. With a healthy McCoy, the Wolverines would have him or Gayle coming off the bench. Freshman Quinn Costello has shown flashes, scoring at least 10 points in two exhibition games and the season opener. Gayle even called him “one of the most-ready freshmen I think I’ve ever seen, besides Trey last year.” But beyond Costello, it’s been a wasteland for consistent scoring off the bench. Returners Oscar Goodman and Ricky Liburd are playing meaningful minutes for the first time. Transfer Kenny Noland is adjusting from the Ivy League. Freshman Joseph Hartman showed flashes before a shoulder injury sidelined him. And transfer Jalen Reed, who’s battling back from an Achilles injury, wasn’t even expected to be ready when the season started.
The Wolverines aren’t worried about their chilly start from three-point range, but they should be worried about getting some reliable points from anyone not in the starting five. They need to find that spark, and fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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