Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan took on third ranked Wisconsin, and looked like they also belonged in the top 10 as they rode a high field goal percentage and spread out scoring to a huge victory. This game begins a massive stretch of 10 games for Michigan, as they look to take on all the top teams in the conference, including Wisconsin and Michigan State twice.
The real key to Michigan’s win against Wisconsin, and the key to their success over this very difficult and very important stretch, is their leader Nik Stauskas. Possibly one of the most underrated players in the nation, and in my opinion the most valuable player to any team in the Big Ten.
One of the biggest shots of the game was out of a timeout with three minutes left in the game, with a limited shot clock. He went one-on-one and hit a jumper from the left elbow to extend Michigan’s lead to five. This was after Wisconsin hit a three to get within three and to bring their crowd back into the game.
At times, Michigan had incredibly spread out scoring, with guys like Glenn Robinson III and Caris LaVert stepping up with their big guy Mitch McGary out with a major injury. However, when it counts, and those guys go on a drought, it’s Stauskas who steps up.
Then, the biggest shot of the game, and possibly of the season so far, came from Stauskas with under a minute remaining. He shook the defender on the left wing with a stellar between the legs dribble and nailed a step back three to put Michigan up by four, and they held that lead to the buzzer.
It was a crowd silencer, a season maker and could end up being a massive launching point for Michigan’s push to the tourney. Nik Stauskas deserves the MVP vote in the Big Ten as much as any player in any conference.
Chris Loud is a beat writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @cfloud, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
