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Michigan Wolverines Dominate USC, Cement Status as College Basketball Powerhouse
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Michigan’s impressive start to the season continued Friday with a decisive 96-66 victory over No. 24 USC, further solidifying their position as a dominant force in college basketball. The No. 2 Wolverines, led by a balanced scoring attack and relentless pressure, won by 30 points, even while emptying their bench in the final minutes.
A Historic run of Blowout Victories
Dusty May’s squad is making history, becoming the first team since the 1996-97 season to defeat three ranked opponents by at least 30 points in a single season, according to data from The Field of 68. This latest win follows impressive victories over then-No. 21 Auburn and then-No. 12 Gonzaga, signaling a new era of dominance for the Wolverines.
Undefeated Start and Big Ten Outlook
With a record of 13-0 and a 3-0 start in Big Ten play, Michigan is showing no signs of slowing down.The Trojans, now 12-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play, faced their first ranked opponent of the season at Crisler Center and will continue a challenging road trip Monday against No.9 Michigan State.
Fast-Paced Offense and Turnover troubles for USC
USC struggled to contain Michigan’s high-octane offense, which generated 26 of the game’s 28 fast-break points. The Wolverines boast the fifth-highest adjusted tempo in college basketball, according to KenPom, and their speed proved too much for the Trojans to handle.Contributing to USC’s difficulties were 21 turnovers, which Michigan converted into 24 points. Despite leading the nation in free throw attempts, averaging 31.2 per game, USC shot just 63.6% from the charity stripe.
Balanced scoring and Bench Production
Michigan’s victory was a team effort, with ten players contributing to the scoring column. Sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr. led the way with a career-high 29 points,shooting 10-of-12 from the field,and adding six rebounds. Senior guard Roddy Gayle Jr. added 12 points off the bench before fouling out, while Samford graduate transfer Jaden Brownell paced USC with 16 points on an efficient 6-of-10 shooting performance.
Dominating First and Second Halves
The Wolverines started strong, opening the first half with an 11-0 run and closing it with a 6-0 run to build an 18-point halftime advantage. They continued to extend their lead in the second half, culminating in a last-second steal and layup by L.J. Cason.
A Pattern of Dominance
Michigan isn’t just winning games; they are consistently dominating opponents. Ten of their 13 victories have been by 20 or more points, with six wins exceeding a 40-point margin. On December 21st, they defeated La Salle by a staggering 52 points. Their 40-point win against No. 12 gonzaga on November 26th, at the Players era Festival, set the tone for their current run of success. That victory was preceded by a 102-
